The Crystal Claw by William Le Queux

Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.

I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white. I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant -- I think it was iodoform.

As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine. The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng -- and the fourth -- I could scarce believe my eyes -- was Thelma herself!

"Thelma! " I cried eagerly, raising my hand towards her.

"No! Keep quiet! " ordered the spectacled man who seemed to be a doctor. "Listen! Can you understand me. Do you hear what I say? " he asked in a harsh voice.

"Yes, I -- I do," I faltered.

"Then keep quiet. Sleep, and don't worry about anything -- if you want to get well. You're very ill -- and you've been very foolish. But if you obey me you will soon be all right again."

"But -- but Thelma -- Mrs. Audley," I asked eagerly.

"She's here -- by your side. Don't worry, Mr. Yelverton, go to sleep and you'll be quite right again soon -- quite right!"

I looked at his great gold-rimmed spectacles. They seemed to be magnified in my abnormal sight.

"But," I asked boldly. "Who are you?"

"My name is Denbury -- Doctor Denbury," was the old fellow's reply.

"But why are you here with me in Cross Keys?"

"You're not in the Cross Keys now. You are in the Burghley Hospital. The police brought you here, and sent for me."

"The police! " I gasped, staring at those large round spectacles, whilst next moment I shifted my gaze upon Feng. "Look here Doctor Feng," I said addressing him. "What does all this mean?"

"Well, Yelverton, it is all a puzzle to us. Why did you come here to Stamford and attempt to commit suicide?"

"What? " I cried in fierce indignation despite my weakness. "What are you saying? Suicide -- why, such a thing never entered my mind!"

Feng's face wore a strange, cynical smile. Suddenly I felt he was not my friend; for the moment I hated him.

"Well, the facts are all too apparent," he said dubiously. "Whatever could have possessed you? You've had a very near squeak of it, I can tell you."

"Yes, Mr. Yelverton," said Thelma, bending over me till I saw her dear face peering eagerly into mine. "Yes. They thought you were dead. Why did you do it? Why? Tell us."