“If things don’t clear themselves, you will just have to learn your business over again, Monsignor,” went on the Cardinal, still smiling.  “Father Jervis has told me how well you did at lunch; and Mr. Manners said nothing, except that you were a very good host and a very graceful listener.  So you need not fear that any one will notice.  So please put out of your mind any thought that any one else will take your place here.  I shall expect you back in a month or two, and not a soul will be any the wiser.  I shall just let it be known that you’re gone for a holiday.  You have always worked hard enough, anyhow, to deserve one.”

At that moment, somewhere out of the air, from the direction of the boxes on the wall, a very deferential, quiet voice uttered a few words in Latin.

The Cardinal nodded.  Father Jervis went to the door and opened it, and there came through a man in a black cloak, resembling a gown, followed by a servant carrying a bag.  The bag was set down, the servant went out, and the doctor came forward to kiss the Cardinal’s ring.

“I want you just to examine Monsignor Masterman,” said the Cardinal.  “And, doctor, please observe absolute silence afterwards.  Just say that you have found him a little run down.”

Monsignor made a movement to stand up, but the Cardinal restrained him.

“Do you remember this gentleman?” he asked.

Monsignor stared blankly at the doctor.

“I have never seen him in my life,” he said.

The doctor smiled, simply and frankly.

“Well, well, Monsignor,” he said.

“It seems just a loss of memory,” went on the Cardinal.  “Just tell the doctor how it happened.”

The invalid made an effort; he shut his eyes for an instant to recover himself; and then he related at length his first apparent consciousness in Hyde Park, and all that had followed.  Father Jervis put a question from time to time, which he answered quite rationally; and at the close the doctor, who was sitting opposite, watching every movement of his face, leaned back, smiling.

“Well, Monsignor,” he said, “it seems to me that your memory is sufficiently good.  Just put another question, father—­a really difficult one—­about something that has happened since noon.”

“Can you remember the points of Mr. Manners’ speech?” asked the priest doubtfully.

The other paused for a moment.

“Psychology, Comparative Religion, the Philosophy of
Evidence, Pragmatism, Art, Politics, and finally
Recuperation.  These were the——­”

“Now that’s astonishing!” said the priest.  “I could only remember four myself.”

“When did you see the Cardinal last?” asked the doctor suddenly.

“I have never seen him before, to my knowledge,” faltered the sick man.

The Cardinal leaned forward and patted him gently on the knee.

“Never mind,” he said.  “Then, doctor——­”