But, as he gained a little strength, he looked curiously about him, then memory began to assert itself—he recalled the events which had occurred on that fateful day, when he had been made a captive, and he realized that he had been moved from that dismal padded chamber to a large and airy room in another portion of the house.
The next time Doctor Wesselhoff came to his bedside, after he had come thoroughly to himself, he said, in a grave but authoritative voice:
"Doctor Wesselhoff, sit down if you please; I want to talk with you for a few moments."
The physician obeyed, but with some surprise, for both the look and manner of his patient convinced him that he was perfectly rational.
"I have been very ill, have I not?" Ray inquired.
"Yes, but you are much better and steadily improving."
"How long have I been sick?"
"It is more than five weeks now since you were attacked."
Ray frowned at this information.
How must his father feel regarding his strange absence? What had become of that cunning thief and the diamonds? were questions which suggested themselves to him.