In two days he will be walking about." He passed on, but in his own mind he was wondering what was the matter with the young man, why he had lost his memory, and what accident had brought him alone and friendless to one of the city hospitals.

For the present it would be better to let him alone rather than tire him by a thorough examination of his head.

There was probably a small fracture somewhere at the back of the skull, the doctor thought, and it would be easy enough to find it when the patient was strong enough to sit up.
The doctor had not been long gone when an elderly man with a grizzled moustache and thoughtful eyes was led to Marcello's bedside by the Superintendent himself.

The appearance of the latter at an unusual hour was always an event in the ward, and the nurses watched him with curiosity.

They would have been still more curious had they known that the elderly gentleman was the Chief of the Police himself.