Joe McGlory drifted back to conscience amid surroundings that were entirely new to him. He was in a white iron bed. On one side of the bed stood a woman in a white cap and apron, and on the other side was a man in black. Over the foot of the bed leaned Matt, his anxious face clearing a little as McGlory opened his eyes. “Ah!” murmured the doctor. “Where am I?” inquired the cowboy. “In the emergency ward of the City Hospital,” answered the doctor. “I’ve got about as much right here as a maverick steer in a watermelon patch. Sufferin’ sister, what a jolt!” A smile sneaked over the doctor’s face. The nurse turned her head. Matt laughed, highly delighted. “He’ll be all right, don’t you think so, doctor?” Matt asked. “A lad who can come out from under the influence of a narcotic with such a flow of spirits,” averred the doctor, “is bound to be all right.” “What’s the matter with me?” the cowboy asked. “A couple of broken ribs.” “I thought I’d busted something! Say, Matt!” “What is it, Joe?” “The last I remember I was in the office of Random & Griggs. When was that?” “Last night.” The cowboy turned his head so he could see the sunlight coming through the window. “And now it’s this morning?” “Yes.” “When will I get out of here, doc? This afternoon?” “If you get out of here in less than two weeks you’ll do well,” said the doctor. “Speak to me about that!” muttered McGlory. “It’s all right, Joe,” said Matt. “I’ll be here every day to see you.” “Sure you will. I couldn’t stand it if you stayed away. The old runabout got me, after all!” “You were lucky to escape as well as you did,” spoke up the doctor. “You took a long automobile ride, after you were hurt,” he added severely, “and did a number of other things that were entirely unnecessary, and which aggravated your condition.” “Correct, doc,” grinned McGlory; “I was aggravated a whole lot, and no mistake. Where’s the hoodoo car now, Matt?” “Billy’s got it in the garage.” “I wonder that Billy would have it there, considering how he feels about it.” “Billy’s not the boss of the garage, Joe,” laughed Matt. “If he was, probably he’d refuse to give the car storage.” “Hear anything from Hempstead?” “Well, yes. Levitt is coming along as well as can be expected.” “I don’t think you had better talk any more, my lad,” interposed the doctor. “I’ll die if I don’t, doc,” declared McGlory. “Give me a little more rope, can’t you?” “A little.” “Where’s the colonel, Matt?” went on McGlory. “No one knows, Joe. He was ordered out of town, and I guess he’s gone, or going.” “He played hob with me, all right. How’s the syndicate?” “You’d feel highly complimented if you could hear what they said about you.” “What did they say about _you_?” “I don’t remember.” “Sure you don’t. You never remember what’s said about you, but whenever any one tips you off concernin’ a pard you keep it right on tap. What are you going to do for the two weeks I’m laid up?”