he herbaceous and the
flesh tea, and in addition some freshly-made crisp brown toast.

The refreshments were most welcome, for both the doctor and Aunt Hannah
were exhausted and faint, and as soon as they were alone again, and
Eliza gone down with the last bulletin, Aunt Hannah shed a few tears.

"So sympathetic and thoughtful of the servants, dear," she said.

The doctor nodded, and then as he dipped the dry toast in the beef tea
he thought to himself that Vane had somehow managed to make himself a
friend everywhere.

But an enemy, too, he thought directly after, and he set himself to try
and think out who it could be--an occupation stopped by messengers from
the rectory, Gilmore, Distin and Macey having arrived to ask how the
patient was getting on. While on their way back, they met Bates, the
constable, looking very solemn as he saluted them and went on, thinking
a great deal, but waiting until Vane recovered his senses before
proceeding to act.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

VANE RECOLLECTS.

"Hah, that's better," said the doctor one fine morning, "feel stronger,
don't you?"

"Oh yes, uncle," said Vane rather faintly, "only my head feels weak and
strange, and as if I couldn't think."

"Then don't try," said the doctor, and for another day or two Vane was
kept quiet.

But all the time there was a curious mental effervescence going on as
the lad lay in bed, the object of every one's care; and until he could
clearly understand why he was there, there was a constant strain and
worry connected with his thoughts.

"Give him time," the doctor used to say to Aunt Hannah, "and have
confidence in his medical man. When nature has strengthened him enough
his mind will be quite clear."

"But are you sure, dear?" said Aunt Hannah piteously; "it would be so
sad if the poor fellow did not quite recover his memory."

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor, "this comes of having some one you know
by heart for medical attendant. You wouldn't have asked Doctor White or
Doctor Black such a question as that."

"It is only from anxiety, my dear," said Aunt Hannah; "I have perfect
confidence in you. It is wonderful how he is improved."

Just then two visitors arrived in the shape of Gilmore and Macey.

They had come to make inquiries on account of the rector, they said; and
on hearing the doctor's report, Macey put in a petition on his own
account.

"Let you go up and sit with him a bit?" said the doctor. "Well, I
hardly k