“Oct. 3rd.—­I am slightly better.  My mental powers are slowly coming back after the fever that followed the wound.  I pass my days mostly in speculating on the reason of this murderous attack, but am still unable to account for it.  It cannot have been for plunder, for I do not look like a rich man.  Mr. Sanderson has his theory, but I cannot agree with him, for nobody but ourselves knew of my father’s manuscript.  At any rate, it is fortunate that I left it in my chest, together with this Journal, before I went down to Bombay.  Margery must have had my letter by this time; Mr. Sanderson very wisely decided to wait the result of my illness before troubling her.  As it is she need know nothing about it until we meet.

“Oct. 14th.—­Mr. Sanderson is everything that is good; indeed, had I been a brother he could not have shown me more solicitude.  But he is obstinate in connecting my attack with the Great Ruby of Ceylon; it is certainly a curious coincidence that this dark chapter of my life should immediately follow my father’s warning, but that is all one can say.  I shall give up trying to convince him.

“Oct. 31st.—­I am now considerably better.  My strength is slowly returning, and with it, I am glad to say, my memory.  At first it seemed as though I could remember nothing of my past life, but now my recollection is good on every point up to the moment of my attack.  Since then, for at least the space of three months, I can recall nothing.  I am able to creep about a little, and Mr. Sanderson has taken me for one or two excursions.  Curiously enough, I thought I saw John Railton yesterday upon the Apollo Bund.  I was probably mistaken, but at the time it caused me no surprise that he should still be here, since I forgot the interval of three months in my memory.  If it were really Railton, he has, I suppose, found employment of some kind in Bombay; but it seems a cruel shame for him to desert his poor wife at home.  I, alas! am doing little better, but God knows I am anxious to be gone; however, Mr. Sanderson will not hear a word on the subject at present.  He has promised to find a ship for me as soon as he thinks I am able to continue my travels.

“Nov. 4th.—­I was not mistaken.  It was John Railton that I saw on the Apollo Bund.  I met him hovering about the same spot to-day, and spoke to him; but apparently he did not hear me.  I intended to ask him some news of my friend Colliver, but I daresay he knows as little of his doings as I do.  Mr. Sanderson says that in a week’s time I shall be recovered sufficiently to start.  I hope so, indeed, for this delay is chafing me sorely.

“Nov. 21st.—­Mr. Sanderson has found a ship for me at last.  I am to sail in five days for Colombo in the schooner Campaspe, whose captain is a friend—­a business friend, that is—­of my host.  I shall be the only passenger, and Mr. Sanderson has given Captain Dodge full instructions to take care of me.  But I am feeling strong enough now, and fit for anything.