now what to say. He knows us now; but will you promise to be
very quiet?"

"Oh, of course, sir," cried Macey.

"I can't let two go up," said the doctor.

Macey looked at Gilmore.

"I'll give way if you'll promise to let me have first turn next time."

"Agreed," said Macey; and Gilmore went off back to give the doctor's
report to the rector, while Macey was led upstairs gently by Aunt
Hannah, and after again promising to be very quiet, let into Vane's
room, and the door closed behind him.

Vane was lying, gazing drowsily at the window, but the closing of the
door made him turn his eyes toward the new comer, when his face lit up
directly.

"What, Aleck!" he said faintly.

"What, old Weathercock!" cried Macey, running to the bed. "Oh, I say,
old chap, it does one good to see you better, I say you're going to be
quite well now, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am better. But have they caught them?"

"Eh? Caught what?"

"Those two young scoundrels of gipsies," said Vane quickly. Then, as he
realised what he had said, he threw his arms out over the sheet. "Why,
that's what I've been trying to think of for days, and now it's come.
Have they caught them?"

"What for?" said Macey, wonderingly.

"For knocking me about as they did. They ought to be punished; I've
been very ill, haven't I?"

"Awful," said Macey, quickly. "But, I say, was it those two chaps?"

Vane looked at him half wonderingly.

"Yes, of course," he said. "I remember it all now. It's just as if a
cloud had gone away from the back of my head, and I could see clearly
right back now."

"Why did they do it?" cried Macey, speaking out, but feeling dubious,
for Vane's manner was rather strange, and he might still be wandering.

"I don't know," said Vane; "I was getting truffles for uncle when they
came along, and it was fists against sticks. They won, I suppose."

"Well, rather so I think," said Macey, edging toward the door.

"Don't go, old chap. You've only just come."

"No, but you're talking too much, and you're to be kept quiet."

"Well, I'm lying quiet. But, tell me, have they caught those two
fellows for knocking me about last night?"

"No, not yet; and I must go now, old fellow."

"But tell me this: What did Syme say this morning because I didn't
come?"

"Oh, nothing much; he was tackling me. I got it horribly for being so
stupid."

"Not you. But tell him I shall be back in the morning."

"All right. Good-bye."

They sh