or kill, I thought grimly. As I watched him, a tremor went through his body. Slowly an arm began to lift,
fist clenched. His lips moved. He spoke, in Italian and so swiftly that I could get no word. His arm fell
back. I stood up from the bed. The paralysis had gone. He could move and speak. But would he be able
to do so when consciousness assumed sway? I left this for the next few hours to decide I could do
nothing else.
"Now listen to me carefully," I said to the two guards. "No matter how strange what I am going to say
will seem, you must obey me in every detail! Ricori's life depends upon your doing so. I want one of you
to sit close beside me at the table here. I want the other to sit beside Ricori, at the head or the bed and
between him and me. If I am asleep and he should awaken, arouse me. If you see any change in his
condition, immediately awaken me. Is that clear?"