"Still has the ring probably in his possession at the present moment. If you only knew where Van Sneck happened to be."
Chris rose to her feet with an excited cry.
"I do know," she exclaimed; "he is in the house where he was half murdered. And Mr. Steel shall know all this before he sleeps to-night."
CHAPTER LI
HERITAGE IS WILLING
Bell's sanguine expectation that Van Sneck would be ready for an immediate operation was not quite correct. As the day wore on the man seemed more feverish and restless, which feverishness was followed by a certain want of strength. After due deliberation Dr. Cross suggested that the operation should be postponed for a day or two.
"The man is out of our hands," he said. "You have identified him, and you desire that he should remain here. It is pretty irregular altogether. And I hope I shan't get into trouble over it. Still, in such capable hands as yours—"
Bell acknowledged the compliment with a smile.
"Between Heritage and myself," he said, "we shall pull him through, eh,
Heritage?"
The other doctor nodded brightly. For some little time he had been directly under Bell's influence, and that had meant a marvellous change for the better, he had lost a deal of his hesitating manner, and was looking forward to the operation with the keenest interest.