“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; between ourselves, that was rather a horrible bit of business, eh?—that attack in the half-darkness.”
“Well, sir, it wasn’t quite like an al fresco ball,” said Dickenson gruffly.