"Certainly. We have learned to stabilize the virus colonies. We have antitoxin to combat the virus. We had always thought of it as a beneficial parasite, but we can wipe it out if necessary."
"Good!" Carson clasped his hands and gave at least slightly at the knees.
"Just you wait a second now, boys," Elliot Macklin said. He was leaning in the doorway, holding his pipe. "I've been listening to what you've been saying and I don't like it."
"What do you mean you don't like it?" Carson demanded. He added, "Sir?"
"I figure you mean to put me back like I used to be."
"Yes, doctor," Mitchell said eagerly, "just as you used to be."
"With my headaches, like before?"
Mitchell coughed into his fist for an instant, to give him time to frame an answer. "Unfortunately, yes. Apparently if your mind functions properly once again you will have the headaches again. Our research is a dismal failure."
"I wouldn't go that far," Ferris remarked cheerfully.
Mitchell was about to ask his associate what he meant when he saw Macklin slowly shaking his head.