“No; I should have it done at once. Still, the trouble is of such long standing that I could not answer for the success of the operation in restoring the boy to his normal condition, even should he survive the shock to his system; and yet——”
“Well?” almost impatiently questioned Mr. Huntress. He was becoming greatly excited over the matter.
Somehow a conviction had taken possession of his heart that such an operation would result favorably, and he longed to have his hopes confirmed.
“It would be a great triumph of science if the trial could be made, and he should have his reasoning powers restored,” returned the physician, gravely.
“Would he be able to talk? Would his power of speech be regained?”
“Yes, I believe so. I suspect that a portion of the skull, which was broken at the time of his injury, is pressing upon his brain, causing not only loss of memory, but also a partial paralysis of the hypoglossal nerve. If this pressure can be relieved, and the piece of skull lifted to its place, or removed altogether, and the aperture trepanned, I see no reason why he should not recover the full use of all his faculties,” the doctor explained.
“I wish it might be done. Doctor, I wonder if it would be right for me to assume the responsibility of ordering this operation to be performed,” said Mr. Huntress, reflectively.
“It would be a great blessing to the boy.”
“Yes; provided all went well.”
“And an otherwise inexplicable mystery might thus be solved; he would doubtless be able to tell who he is, and thus you could restore him to his friends.”