And it put me out, for a while.

But--I'm collecting the pieces.

I'll be as good as--as new, in a few minutes." The fragments of dialogue between brother and sister had supplemented his returning memory.

Mentally, he was himself again, keen, secretive, alert, every bit of him warily on guard.

But he cursed the fact that Standish had drawn Claire into the library, out of earshot, when he spoke of the man who had attacked him.
Then, with a queer revulsion of feeling, he cursed himself for an eavesdropper, and was ashamed of having listened at all.
For the first time, he began to hate the errand that had brought him to Florida.
Bobby Burns caused a mild diversion, as Brice's voice trailed away.