The warden went back to Cell 13 and found The Thinking Machine on his hands and knees on the floor, engaged in nothing more alarming than catching rats. The prisoner heard the warden's step and turned to him quickly.
"It's disgraceful," he snapped, "these rats. There are scores of them."
"Other men have been able to stand them," said the warden. "Here is another shirt for you—let me have the one you have on."
"Why?" demanded The Thinking Machine, quickly. His tone was hardly natural, his manner suggested actual perturbation.
"You have attempted to communicate with Dr. Ransome," said the warden severely. "As my prisoner, it is my duty to put a stop to it."
The Thinking Machine was silent for a moment.
"All right," he said, finally. "Do your duty."
The warden smiled grimly. The prison
