"Time," gasped Malet-Marsac at length, and dropped his hands. "Get—breath—fight—decently—time—'nother round—after," and as he spoke Bruce knocked him down and out, proceeding instantly to tie his feet with the punkah-cord and his hands with two handkerchiefs and a pair of braces. This done, he carried him into his bedroom, and laid him on the bed, and sprinkled his face with water.
Malet-Marsac blinked and stirred.
"Awful sorry, old chap," said Bruce at length. "I thought it the best plan. Will you give me your word to chuck the suicide idea, or do you want some more?"
"You damned fool! I…." began the trussed one.
"Yes, I know—but I solemnly swear I won't untie you, nor let anybody else, until you've promised."
Malet-Marsac swore violently, struggled valiantly and, anon, slept.
When he awoke, ten hours later, he informed Bruce, sitting by the bed, that he had no intention of committing suicide….
Years later, as a grey-haired Major, he learnt, from the man's own brother, the story of the strange hero who had fascinated him, and of whose past he had known nothing—save that it had been that of a man.
End of Project Gutenberg's Driftwood Spars, by Percival Christopher Wren