He made an effort to speak.
"Water!" he said in a low voice.
The Doctor gestured to Billy.

"Get some water--or whisky--if there is any--that'd be better." "There's a flask of whisky in my room, Billy," added Miss Cornelia helpfully.
"Now, my man," continued the Doctor to the Unknown.

"You're in the hands of friends.

Brace up and tell us what happened!" Beresford had been looking about for the detective, puzzled not to find him, as usual, in charge of affairs.

Now, "Where's Anderson?
This is a police matter!" he said, making a movement as if to go in search of him.
The Doctor stopped him quickly.
"He was here a minute ago--he'll be back presently," he said, praying to whatever gods he served that Anderson, bound and gagged in the billiard room, had not yet returned to consciousness.
Unobserved by all except Miss Cornelia, the mention of the detective's name had caused a strange reaction in the Unknown.