A single blanket constituted his sole covering at night.

In spite of all this, he grew daily better and stronger, and his spirits revived.

Hitherto, no visiters had been permitted to see him.

As the time when his identity had to be proved approached, this rigour was, in a trifling degree, relaxed, and a few persons were occasionally admitted to the ward, but only in the presence of Austin.

From none of these could Jack ascertain what had become of Thames, or learn any particulars concerning the family at Dollis Hill, or of his mother.