“‘Yes, I think I shall hold my fresh looks a long time here and have a myth, like you, to deal with.’ “‘I beg your pardon, sir, I have not caused you any trouble. I am not disobeying the rules. I never have.’ “‘You are doing what now?’ “‘I am carrying water for my fellow-prisoners to have a drink, as they need water so often.’ “‘Come in, doctor. I have a patient here for you. Mr. Pearson is very ill.’ “At that moment I lost consciousness.” CHAPTER IX. THE SUPERINTENDENT TRIES TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY. “Mr. Pearson has fainted. I have just returned from my vacation. Please get some water. I think it is nothing serious.” “I don’t understand the case. His pulse is normal. His temperature is not high enough to indicate extreme illness. Yet he seems to be in a very deep faint. You had better call another doctor. I am at a loss to know what to do.” “I will ring for one at once. Here is Pat. I’ll send him for Doctor Simson. “Pat, go at once and bring Doctor Simson. We are not able to bring Mr. Pearson to.” Pat was heard mumbling to himself: “Another mysterious case. I’m going to leave this prison, and I would not blame the others if they did the same, prisoners and all.” “Dr. Simson, you are wanted at once, at the main office. The officer, Mr. Pearson, is a dead man—or, at least, he looks it.” “Well, Pat, if he is dead, there is no use in my going.” “You better go and see for yourself. There are some funny doings going on around here. Men look like dead ones, and not dead. I hope I won’t be looking like a dead one and disappointing my friends. You must be coming along. They sent me for a doctor, and, faith, I would bring you at once.” “Well, Pat, I am ready. So your patient looks like a dead one, hey?” “You may decide that for yourself when you get there.” “Well, here we are. I shall soon see. “Good morning, Mr. Officer. What have we here? A sick man?” “Good morning, doctor.” “Doctor, what would you do in a case like this? I am not able to tell what is wrong.” “Have you taken his temperature?” “I have.” “And what is it?” “Normal.” “In so dead a faint, and normal?” “You may take his temperature and see if I am mistaken.” “You are right, doctor. The best thing to do is to let the patient rest a few moments. I see no serious danger. I do not really understand the case.” “Pat, you may bring in the stretcher and we will take him to the hospital.” “I have been set to carrying the dead to the cemetery when they could not speak any more.” “You are having some trouble with one of your prisoners here, I understand.” “We are, doctor, and here he is.” “He does not look like a sickly man, but, my dear sir, you can not always tell by looking at a man what strength he has.” The prisoner interposed: “I am not a strong man, doctor, but I am strong enough to work if I were given work that I could do.” “We have placed him in many places, and we have not been able to find out what he can do.”