When Bolton and the others arrived at Dr. Brusque's clinic, they happened to encounter Egerton's assistant and several Government Investment Fund officials emerging from the villa, evidently having just finished their visit.
Yesterday, citing a lack of medical equipment, Dr. Brusque had transferred the two injured men to his clinic for continued treatment.
Led by a servant into the clinic ward, Bolton found Sir Hope, director of Chatham Shipyard, along with two Navy Committee officers, already there.
Bolton hurried forward to salute Sir Hope and the officers. After a few polite exchanges, he turned his gaze toward the hospital bed.
Sander was wrapped head to toe in bandages like a mummy, but Bolton still recognized the company's former Chief Technician from the pair of exposed eyes.
Rice, likewise covered in bandages, lay on another bed in the corner, letting out pained groans from time to time.
Bolton sat in a chair beside the bed and saw that Sander's eyes were bloodshot. The skin around them was covered in medicine, making him look utterly miserable.
Well, Sander had stubbornly stayed awake all night yesterday to make himself look more like a grievously wounded man.
"Sorry... sorry..." Seeing his boss arrive, Sander forced out the words with difficulty. "I... shouldn't have... broken the rules..."
Bolton hurriedly comforted him. "No, no. Everyone knows that you only wanted to complete the research and development as soon as possible."
Falkner turned to Dr. Brusque. "How long do you think it will take for Mr. Sander to recover?"
"His condition is not very good." The doctor wore a grave expression. "Frankly speaking, I'm afraid there may not be a doctor in all of London capable of restoring Mr. Sander to full health."
Frank, Sander's "cousin," added from the side, "Dr. Brusque has suggested that my brother