'Funny little chap. Why didn't he lie on the couch?' said Dr Tom; then, with his practised eyes, he noticed how still and unnaturally calm the lad was. He stooped over him and gave an exclamation of surprise, with a tone of alarm in it.
Jim Dennis was down on his knees beside the boy in a moment.
'He must have fainted and fallen out of his chair,' said Dr Tom, picking him up and placing him on the sofa.
Jim Dennis was in an agony of fear. He seemed utterly helpless. Dr Tom felt Willie's head, and found a lump at the back where he had been struck with the pestle.
'Jim, he's been hit on the head, and a heavy blow it must have been. Keep quiet and I'll soon pull him round.'
Jim Dennis looked on half dazed. He could not realise what had happened.
In a short time, under Dr Tom's treatment, Willie came round, and, opening his eyes, looked about him.
'Oh, my head,' he said faintly, and seemed on the verge of going off again.
The blow was severe, but not so serious as might have been expected.
When he had recovered sufficiently, they questioned him as to what had happened, but he knew nothing about it, or how he had been struck.