The pain was sudden and almost inconceivably fierce.
It was as if there were nothing left of his body except that one tremendous, burning sting just to the left of his spine about midway down. It robbed him of his breath and his ability to move, or speak, and almost even to think.
Sights and sounds became oddly disjointed, but they began to fade. The dim light in the circular room dimmed further – slowly at first, and then more rapidly – until all David saw was his friend attacking their captors.
Good. Lew only…pretended….
With a colossal effort, he cast his eyes toward the old detective, but couldn’t tell if Tipple had heeded his warning.
The room went black.
I hope….
The pain lasted longer, but even that disappeared and he knew nothing more.