"Yes."
"Did you understand what I said?"
"No; but Sergeant Gorman did."
The man on the bed did not reply. His face assumed a strained, hunted look. Sinclair sat on the edge of the bed and laid his hand gently on his patient's.
"Sergeant Melnotte," he said in a low, kind tone, "you need be afraid of nothing from me. Are you not Allister MacAllister?"
The wounded man's hand gripped Sinclair's. A spasm of pain crossed his face. He closed his eyes and lay for a few moments very still. Then, without opening his eyes, he said in English:
"What do you know about Allister MacAllister?"
"I know his father, his mother, and his sister. I know that they are searching the world for him. I know that he disappeared and left no trace behind him, because he thought he had killed a man." The great, dark eyes were open now and looking in unbelieving wonder into Sinclair's frank, kindly blue ones. "But he didn't kill him."
"Dr. Sinclair, do you mean to say that Captain Philip Standish did not die?"
"Yes, that is what I mean. He is alive and well, and has been helping your father to search for you."