Major Dale wanted him to talk, both to quiet the girls' fears and to determine his actual state of mind. But Captain Mayberry's speech was very slow, and decidedly confused.
"I—guess—I'm all right—now," he managed to utter. "Where's—Jane?"
"Jane? Oh, yes, Jane," repeated the major. "That's your sister, Miss Pumfret?"
"Was—not now. She locks me up—leaves me to die!"
"Oh, now, come. Isn't it Jane who brings you things to eat?" asked the major, venturing a guess. "Why, didn't she send—the coal—and the bread?"
"Yes, yes," answered the old man, "but she will not let me go. She drove me crazy. Yes, and I'm crazy now."
"Not a bit of it. Here, sit down on this seat," and Major Dale motioned to Tom. "This young man will stay by you to keep you company while we prepare the mess. Perhaps you will show us how to get water? And have you any way of lighting up?"
A look of intelligence crossed Captain Mayberry's face. He shuffled over to a corner, and actually pressed a button.
The chandeliers poured out a flood of electric light.
"Jane did that," he muttered. "She likes light."