"How long have I been here?" he asked.
"Oh, quite a while, Doctor. Now don't ask any more questions. You must rest and get well and strong, you know."
Strength seemed to be surging slowly back into the doctor's wasted frame. His voice came clearer and stronger.
"How long have I been here?" he demanded.
The nurse hesitated, but her face suddenly cleared as Captain Murdock entered the ward.
"Oh, Captain," she cried, "come here and take care of your patient. He won't keep quiet."
"Out of his head again?" asked Captain Murdock as he hastened forward.
"No more than you are," came in a husky whisper from Dr. Bird's lips.
Captain Murdock looked quickly down and smiled in relief. "You'll live, Dr. Bird," he said. "Just take it easy for a few days and then you can talk all you want to."