To him the pitiable but interesting innocent was submitted for examination.
The noted M. D. at once became absorbed in and enthusiastic over the peculiar case.
“He would be a remarkable boy but for the torpidity of his intellect,” he asserted. “He was not born so. His present condition was caused either by some acute disease of the brain, or by some injury to it—the latter, most probably.”
“Possibly a great wrong has been perpetrated, and he has been deserted in this mysterious way to conceal the deed,” suggested Mr. Huntress, gravely.
“I should not be at all surprised,” returned the physician. “He may be the heir to some large property, and jealousy has brought him to this pass. Everything about him, save his idiocy, betrays that he came of a refined parentage. His physical condition is sound, although he is not fully developed as he should be, but that is owing undoubtedly, to his mental incapacity. He is evidently about fifteen years of age.”
All this was the result of but a superficial examination. A more critical one confirmed one of the doctor’s theories: there proved to be a depression of the skull which must have been caused by some accident to or violent blow upon the head.
“It was done a number of years ago,” the learned man affirmed, “and that produced a paralysis of the brain and also of the nerves that control his organs of speech.”
“Is there any help for him—can he be restored?” Mr. Huntress inquired, eagerly.
“Possibly, by an operation; but it would be attended with considerable risk.”
“Would the risk be so great, that were the boy your own son, you would hesitate to attempt it?”