The moment he did so she lifted the covering from the instrument on the table and proceeded to open the trunk.
CHAPTER IX.
THE DEAD RESTORED.
Nurse Ives lifted the little body out of the trunk and laid it down on a pile of warm blankets in front of the hot fire; then, taking the electric battery from the table, she proceeded to put it in order and applied it to the side of the child’s neck and over the region of his heart, just as she had done before in Ashley Mansions. On this occasion, however, the electric current was far more powerful.
The nurse watched the child with keen anxiety as she used this means for his restoration. At first the strong electric current seemed to have little or no effect; then gradually the color, which had been restored to the child’s cheeks when the amyl nitrite had been applied, deepened and the eyelids quivered very slightly. At last the eyes were opened just for an instant and then closed again. When this happened the nurse ceased to apply the current, and, rushing to the table, prepared a hypodermic injection of ether. This was quickly injected into the child’s arm. The effect was instantaneous—a gentle glow pervaded the whole of the hitherto icy frame and the little body quivered from head to foot.
Once again the boy’s eyes were opened, and now it was quite apparent that he was breathing, although very faintly. Nurse Ives began gently to rub the limbs with her warm hands. Stooping low, she breathed with her own hot breath into the child’s mouth. His breath was now coming calmly and steadily.
She once again applied the current, and the boy began to stir. Then she lifted the arms above the head and put them down again, performing by this means artificial respiration. The child now looked steadily at her. There was a dreamy, unconscious film over the bright, dark eyes; but he was awake, alive—no longer a corpse. He was a living boy once again.
Nurse Ives took the little wrist between her finger and thumb—the pulse was working, but somewhat shakily.
She did not dare to lift the boy yet into a sitting position. She allowed the full influence of the fire to pervade his icy frame, and occasionally she still applied a gentle current of electricity.
After a time she put away the instrument, and, kneeling by the child, put into his mouth a few drops of very strong soup mixed with brandy. He swallowed a little. She felt the pulse again. It was steady, stronger, less intermittent.
“Where am I?” asked little Piers.