a bit queer in his head, and I'm afraid I
shall have to perform rather a crucial operation upon him. I don't want
to if I can help it, out here. It requires skilled help, and I should
like some one to share the responsibility."

"Internally injured?" asked Dickenson.

"Oh no. The bullet that ploughed up his forehead is pressing a piece of
bone down slightly on the brain."

"Slightly!" said Dickenson, with a laugh. "Turned it right over, I
think."

"Yes, you fellows who know nothing about your construction do get a good
many absurd ideas in your head. Here, talk softly; I want to get at the
cause of his trouble. He's not wounded."

"Why, his skull's ploughed up, and the bone pressing on his brain."

"Do you mean that for a joke--a bit of chaff, Mr Dickenson?" said the
doctor stiffly.

"A joke, sir? Is this a subject to joke about?" replied Dickenson.

"Certainly not, sir; but you thoughtless young fellows are ready to
laugh at anything."

"Well, sir, you're wrong. Roby and I were never very great friends, but
I'm not such a brute as to laugh and sneer when the poor fellow's down."

"Who was talking about Captain Roby?"

"You were, sir. You told me that his brain was suffering from pressure,
and then you went on to say that you wanted to get at the cause of his
hurt."

"Bah! Tchah! Nonsense, man! I was talking then about Lennox."

"I beg your pardon, sir."

"Oh, all right, my lad. Now then; I'm talking about Lennox now. I say
I want to get at the cause of his trouble without questioning him and
setting his poor feverish brain working. Tell me how you found him."

Dickenson briefly explained.

"Humph! Utterly exhausted; been suffering from the sun, thirst, and
evidently after exerting himself tremendously. Been in a complete
stupor more than sleep, you say?"

"Yes."

"Well, it's very strange," said the doctor thoughtfully. "He was in the
assault, wasn't he?"

"Oh yes, of course."

"Well, human nature's a queer thing, Dickenson, my lad."

"Yes, sir; very," said the young man gruffly, "or Roby wouldn't behave
like this and set that sneak May off on the same track."

"And," continued the doctor testily, as if he did not like being
interrupted, "the more I examine into man's nature the more curious and
contradictory I find it--I mean, in the mental faculties."

"I suppose so, sir.--What's he aiming at?" added the young officer to
himself.

"Now, look here, Dickenson, my lad; be