ns.

"I'm trusting to your good sense, Thompson, not to overdo it," Forbes
cautioned. "Remember, she is still in a very weak condition and don't
be surprised if she fails to respond to your questions as you expect.
Above all things, do not refer in any way to the fact that she has been
indicted, the shock might be too much for her."

"Thank you, Doctor," I replied, eager to get away, "I'll be very
careful."

"And remember, no more than ten minutes this first time."

I nodded and opened the door. Helen was propped up in bed and showed
unmistakably the great suffering she had been through. She was pale
and wan, but smiled when she saw me and gave me her cheek to kiss.

"Good morning," she whispered. "The flowers were lovely."

"I'm glad you liked them, Sis, dear," I said, sitting down by the side
of her bed.

I asked her the usual questions, how she felt and if she wanted
anything, and then tried to lead up to the only question that was of
any consequence to either of us.

"Helen, dear, there are certain questions about your accident that have
puzzled us. The doctor said that you could talk for ten minutes this
morning and I want to ask you some questions."

"Wait a minute!" she interrupted. "Did the doctor say I might really
talk this morning?"

"Yes, dear."

"There are a hundred questions then that you must answer me. I want to
know so many things." She looked away and passed a thin hand over her
forehead. Finally she turned her big brown eyes toward me and said:

"First, tell me who I am!"

For a brief second I felt numb all through. My brain whirled until I
thought my head would burst.

"Helen, dear, what did you say?"

My speech was thick, as though my tongue was swollen. Still keeping
her gaze fixed on me, she continued:

"They call me Helen, and I gather that you are my brother. There is a
beautiful girl who comes here every day. She and I seem to be great
friends, but I don't know her, I have heard them call her Mary; tell me
who she is!"

If I could have run from the room I should have done so. A horror
gripped me such as I never felt before. Then I saw two large tears
tremble in Helen's eyes, overflow and course down her cheeks and I
gathered all the strength that I could muster for the task of trying to
awaken a memory that had apparently ceased to function.

"Helen, dearest little sister, I am your brother. The beautiful girl
you speak of is Mary Pendleton, one of the be