At this moment the Spaniard entered the room, carrying certain dishes.
“I have been telling your mistress, Baptisto, that you are ready to be a martyr to science. At four o’clock precisely, you will be a dead man.”
Baptisto bowed solemnly.
“I am quite ready, senor.”
But here Ellen interposed.
“It is ridiculous; your master is only joking. He would not do anything so foolish, so wicked. As for you, I forbid you to encourage him.”
Baptisto bowed again, with a curious smile.
“It is for the senor to command. As he knows, he has saved my life, and he may take it whenever he pleases.”
Haldane nodded, in the act of drinking a glass of wine.
“Don’t be afraid, Baptisto. After death, there is the resurrection.”