floated out of the world of white
into a black, obliterating nothingness.

Hours later he again opened his eyes. Again he saw a woman in white at
the foot of what he now knew to be a bed. She smiled, a sort of cheery,
wordless greeting. He could see distinctly now, and the thunder of the
rushing torrent had subsided until it was little more than a wind
whispering among the tree tops. But the left arm was still lifeless and
numb, and his head felt as large as a tub.

"Where am I?" he asked, and was startled by the feebleness of the voice
which seemed in no way related to him.

The woman in white bent over him, smoothing the pillow and pressing him
back upon it.

"You must be quiet," she said, "and not talk, or try to move."

Funny thing to say. Why shouldn't he talk--especially when he had so
much to learn about this strange place?

"But where am--"

The figure in white began fading away again, a most distressing habit,
and darkness again rushed at him from the white walls.

Hours later he again opened his eyes, realizing at once that it was
night, though objects could be dimly seen by the glow of the one light
at the far end of the room. He could hear voices, and with a slight turn
of the head saw a man in uniform talking with the white-clad woman who
could so suddenly and miraculously disappear. At the movement the man
turned quickly.

It was Larkin, and the worried lines in his face were swept away by a
quick, cheery smile as he bent over the bed and pressed McGee's right
hand in a manner that spoke more than words.

"What happened, Buzz?" McGee asked, and was again surprised at the thin
quality of his voice.

"You're all right, old hoss," Larkin evaded, "but you mustn't talk yet.
Be quiet now. To-morrow night I'll be back and tell you all about it."

"But--"

"Quiet now! See you to-morrow," and with another squeeze of the hand he
was gone.

Well, McGee thought, it was rather tiring to try to think. Sleep was so
easy--and so soft.

2

The following evening Larkin came back again, just as the nurse had
finished giving McGee a light, liquid meal.

"Hello, you little shrimp!" he sang out cheerily. "Eyes bright and
everything! Old Saw Bones just told me I could see you for five
minutes--but to do all the talking. You can have three questions only."

A thin, tired smile came to McGee's freckled face, a face almost hidden
under the bandages that completely covered his head.

"All right," he said