"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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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