CHAPTER XVI
THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
When Ben Blair again woke to consciousness the sunlight was pouring upon him steadily. He was in a strange bed in a strange room; and he looked about him perplexedly. Amid the unfamiliarity his eye caught an object he recognized,—the broad angular back of a man. Memory slowly adjusted itself.
"Grannis—"
The back reversed, showing a rather surprised face.
"Where am I, Grannis?"
The foreman came over to the bed. "In the hotel. In the bridal chamber, they informed me, to be exact."
Ben did not smile. Memory was clear now. "What happened after they—got me last night?"
Grannis's face showed distinct animation. "A lot of things—and mighty fast. You missed the best part." Of a sudden he paused and looked at his charge doubtfully. "But I forgot. You're not to talk: the doctor said so."
Ben made a grimace. "But I can listen, can't I?"