Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/310

 "I will join you directly," said Leyden. "Wait for me in the office." Manning and Giles withdrew.

"Now my friend," observed Leyden to Dessalines, as he stirred a white powder in a glass of water, "you will take this and go to bed. No prayers to-night; you have prayed sufficiently for one day. You are to go to sleep, do you understand?"

Dessalines turned suddenly, fell at the feet of the naturalist, embraced his knees in his great arms. His sobs grew alarming.

"Quietly, camarade," said Leyden gently. He stooped and patted the huge shoulder. "Now go to sleep … do you hear me? Go to sleep!" He turned softly and left the room, locking the door behind him.

Manning and Giles were awaiting him in the office.

"About that white man?" were Giles's first words.

Leyden shrugged. "Who knows," he answered evasively, "never mind him. If one will meddle with heavy machinery"

"Did you have any difficulty in finding him?" inquired Manning.

"None whatever. He was partially insane and I had trouble to quiet him. Then I judged it safer to wait twenty-four hours that he might get himself in hand." He sighed wearily. "Never did I listen to such agonies of prayer; it was a fatiguing adventure. Some whisky? … Ah, thanks. There is really nothing more to tell. Ach! Our perplexities have just begun. And now, if you will be so good as to excuse me, I think that I will retire." 300