Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/297

   which scarcely carry sound and seem wrung less from the body than the tortured soul.

Are you in pain!' I whispered, for I did not wish to wake him if he should be asleep.

" 'In torture, Doctor Leyden,' came the low answer; 'but it is not of the flesh.'

"This was the first indication that I was known to him. I slipped into the room and went to the head of his bunk.

" 'May I sit with you?' I asked.

Thanks. . . you know me, of course!'

" 'Yes,' said I. I dropped on the locker beside him, and for several moments neither of us spoke.

" 'What do you think of my chances of losing my sight, Doctor!' he asked presently.

" 'I think,' said I, 'that your sight will be impaired, but not entirely destroyed. One eye appears to have been less injured than the other.'

Do you think that I will be able to do my work!' he asked quickly. [ 281 ]