I did not grin this
time.
"Under those circumstances," I said, "I am open to negotiations. But
I am rather deaf and my vision is very much obscured as long as I see
bars in front of my window."
The Captain smiled:
"Well, Doctor, I may see you again soon."
"Captain, I have not the slightest doubt but that you will. But let
it be understood, please, that it's a waste of time as long as I am
behind bars."
"Leave that to me," he said and we shook hands.
I was taken back to my cell. I am frank to admit that I didn't sleep
much for the next two or three nights. All through my trial and in
Barlinney I had been playing a part. When the occasion demanded I
could be as cool as I was with Captain Robinson. But that was a
strain and it took it out of me. During these following days I was
nervous; I had insomnia; I paced my cell at night. The feeling of a
jail is cold and thick.
But as I expected, another week brought Captain Robinson again. This
time it was late in the evening after all the prisons were shut up
tight. The Lieutenant-governor himself took me into the Governor's
office. No other warder or prison official observed us.
"Well, Doctor," was the way Robinson greeted me. "I have something
definite to propose to you. You can be of use to us. You have still
sixteen months of your sentence to serve. Are you willing to give
these sixteen months of your time to us--terms to be agreed upon
later? I am prepared to supply you with proofs that you were
deliberately put away, betrayed by your employers, the German
government.
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