Dim, brownish fog congealed there.

The chair became clouded with it; and behind that chair objects grew troubled, turbid, vague.
The ace felt inhibitions leaving him.

His eyes began to blink; his half-opened mouth closed with a snap; a long, choking groan escaped his lips.
"_Nom de Dieu_" he gulped, and fell weakly to rubbing his arms and legs that still prickled with a numb tingling.

"_Mais, nom de Dieu!_" The Master, now swiftly becoming visible, stood up again, smiled, advanced toward his guest--or prisoner, if you prefer.
A moment he stood there, till every detail had grown as clear as before this astounding demonstration of his powers.

Then he stretched forth his hand.
"Leclair," said he, in a voice of deep feeling, "I know and appreciate you for a man of parts, of high courage and devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death.