"And is it on account of my talents that you have been kind enough to
shelter me?" I asked bluntly.

The doctor readjusted his pince-nez, and seated himself with some
deliberation on the foot of the bed.

"The instinct to assist a hunted fellow-creature," he observed, "is
almost universal." Then he paused. "I take it, Mr. Lyndon, that you
are not particularly anxious to rejoin your friends in Princetown?"

I shook my head. "Not if there is a more pleasant alternative."

Savaroff grunted. "No alternative is likely to be more unpleasant for
you," he said harshly.

The touch of bullying in his tone put my back up at once. "Indeed!" I
said: "I can imagine several."

McMurtrie's smooth voice intervened. "But ours, Mr. Lyndon, is one
which I think will make a very special appeal to you. How would you
like to keep your freedom and at the same time take up your scientific
work again?"

I looked at him closely. For once there was no trace of mockery in his
eyes.

"I should like it very much indeed, if it was possible," I answered.

McMurtrie leaned forward a little. "It is possible," he said quietly.