"Is he aware of his condition? Does he know that his mind is affected?"
"No, sir, and I think that is a favorable sign. I should add, however, that his physical health is somewhat impaired, and he is much troubled with indigestion and insomnia."
"So much the better; an insane person who sleeps and eats regularly is generally incurable. Suppose you allow me to wake him."
Dr. Auvray placed his hand gently on the shoulder of the sleeper, who instantly sprang to his feet. The first movement he made was to rub his eyes. When he discovered that his hands were tied, he instantly suspected what had taken place while he was asleep, and burst into a hearty laugh.
"A good joke, a very good joke!" he exclaimed.
Francis drew the doctor a little aside.
"Sir, in five minutes he will be in a towering rage," he whispered.
"Let me manage him. I know how to take him."
The good doctor smiled on the supposed patient as one smiles on a child one wishes to amuse. "Well, you wake in very good spirits, my friend; did you have a pleasant dream?" he asked affably.
"No, I had no dream at all; I'm merely laughing to find myself tied up like a bundle of fagots. One would suppose that I was the madman, instead of my nephew."