For ages, it seemed to those watching, Brent sat as before, vacantly gazing straight ahead of him—so long, in fact, that a terrible fear entered Eva's heart that, perhaps, after all, the antidote would fail and that her father would remain without reason until the day of his death.
Then slowly a change was noticeable in his eyes, and all leaned forward with overpowering intentness. What they were watching was like a miracle. Slowly, very slowly, they saw the soul creep back into those poor, mad eyes.
Brent had been staring directly at his daughter as she watched him anxiously. Now a puzzled look came over his face and, raising a hand, he rubbed his forehead.
Then a wonderful light seemed to shine from his eyes and he held out his arms to Eva.
With a sob of excited happiness Eva rushed to embrace him.
As Locke stood behind him, Zita and Doctor Q walked to the other end of the room, turning sidewise to the group.
Suddenly Brent turned his eyes away from Eva and noticed Doctor Q for the first time.
"Who is that?" he asked Eva.
"Why, father, that is—"
At the sound of voices Doctor Q had turned around.