The events of the night came back to Forrester quite clearly now.
"Was that the thing my assailant used on me last night?" he asked, looking up at the girl.
"Yes," she returned, "but you mustn't talk about it."
"But I want to talk about it," he exclaimed. "And I want it for evidence!"
"Robert," she said seriously, "you must not tell a soul about what happened last night, or refer to that piece of rubber. It is absolutely vital that you do this for me. Please promise."
"I'll consider it," he said, "if you will tell me the whole story of what happened."
"I am willing to tell you that," she returned, "but first you must have your breakfast. I can tell you the story while you are eating. It is very short."
She left the room, returning in a few minutes with a tray. After assisting Forrester to sit up in bed, and arranging the pillows at his back, she placed the tray in his lap. As he ate, she explained to him what had happened.
"After you left, I stood on the steps listening to the hum of your engine as you drove away. I was worried, Robert, to think of your recklessness in driving around alone at night under the present circumstances. Suddenly, I heard a report like a pistol shot, and as I could no longer hear the sound of your engine, I feared that something had happened to you.
"Calling Joshua, we ran along the road in the direction you had taken. We soon saw the lights of your car, and I could see that two men were struggling in the road. I knew that one of them must be you. I have always carried my little automatic with me since I came to live in this lonely neighborhood. Taking it out, I fired several shots in the air as I ran. That frightened the man who was attacking you and he fled.