'I often wonder whether I am blameless in the matter, said the Chaplain. 'It is awful to think of someone under my care having come to so terrible an end. I tried to console him and reconcile him with his life, but things are so difficult; there are so many men to see. Poor fellow! To think of him alone out there in the bog, with no one to help him!
CHAPTER VI The Passing of Paul Pennyfeather
A few days later Paul was summoned to the Governor's room.
'I have an order here from the Home Secretary granting leave for you to go into a private nursing‑home for the removal of your appendix. You will start under escort, in plain clothes, this morning.
'But, sir, said Paul, 'I don't want to have my appendix removed. In fact, it was done years ago when I was still at school.
'Nonsense! said the Governor. 'I've got an order here from the Home Secretary especially requiring that it shall be done. Officer, take this man away and give him his clothes for the journey.
Paul was led away. The clothes in which he had been tried had been sent with him from Blackstone. The warder took them out of a locker, unfolded them and handed them to Paul. 'Shoes, socks, trousers, waistcoat, coat, shirt, collar, tie, and hat, he said. 'Will you sign for them? The jewellery stays here. He collected the watch, links, tie‑pin, note‑case, and the other odds and ends that had been in Paul's pockets and put them back in the locker. 'We can't do anything about your hair, said the warder, 'but you're allowed a shave.
Half an hour later Paul emerged from his cell, looking for all the world like a normal civilized man, such as you might see daily in any tube‑railway.
'Feels funny, don't it? said the warder who let him out. 'Here's your escort.
Another normal civilized man, such as you might see daily in any tube‑railway, confronted Paul.