Evasive answers did for a while, but it was evident that they would not do for ever. In the end it was Thomson who told him.
"You did, did you!" exclaimed the doctor in the outer room. "Well, I don't know but what it's just as well!"
"I couldn't help it, sir. He pinned me down."
The Colonel spoke. "Just what and how much did you tell him?"
"I told him, sir, about the wreck, and how he got beaten about, and how I fastened him, when he was senseless and we were sinking, to a bit of spar, and how we were picked up with some of the crew about dawn. And about his being brought here, and being very well cared for, and your coming from New York, you and Miss Ashendyne, and that he'd been wonderful close to dying, but was all right now, and what the date was, and things like that, sir."
"Did he ask for his wife?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you told him?"
"Yes, sir."
The doctor rose. "Well, I'm glad it's done. I'll go see—" and disappeared into the sick-room.