The latter answered by struggling to his feet and looking about him in a confused way.
“Where am I?” he asked. “What has happened?”
“You were attacked by a ruffian. I found you on the sidewalk, with him bending over you with this club in his hand.”
“He must have followed me. I was imprudent enough to show a well-filled pocketbook in a saloon where I stopped to take a drink. No doubt he planned to relieve me of it.”
“You have had a narrow escape, sir.”
“I have no doubt of it. I presume the fellow was ready to take my life, if he found it necessary.”
“I will leave you now, sir, if you think you can manage.”
“No, stay with me. I feel rather upset.”
“Where are you staying, sir?”
“At the Palace Hotel. Of course you know where that is?”