They went down the corridor and stopped before the door to Endicott’s room.
“Do you know what’s gone on here tonight, Hansen?”
“From what I’ve heard, sir, the man who was thought dead is now alive.”
“That is correct.”
Lieutenant Valcour opened the door and beckoned to Cassidy. Cassidy came out and joined them.
“When you two men go back into that room,” Lieutenant Valcour said, “I want you to get a couple of chairs and sit down just inside the bathroom doorway. Put the chairs where you can watch the bed and this hall door. If you talk, use a low voice that won’t disturb either the patient or the nurse, and from the moment when she indicates that he’s returning to consciousness, say nothing at all and sit still. The shock of knowing that you were there might disturb his heart again. Is that clear?”
They assured him, in unison, that it was.
“This hall door,” Lieutenant Valcour went on, “is going to be kept locked on the inside by the nurse. Every time she opens it, watch carefully. Keep your eye on anyone who comes into the room, especially if they offer some excuse for wanting to be there—and when I say ‘anyone,’ I mean just that. For instance: the nurse might want some coffee and ring for a servant. Watch that servant every second, until she goes and the door is locked again. While on the subject of coffee, you will drink none that may be offered you while you’re on watch.”
“I never drink coffee, Lieutenant,” said Cassidy. “Now if it was a cup of tea—”
“If you get thirsty,” said Lieutenant Valcour severely, “take some water from the tap. And eat nothing at all. I don’t want to have to come back