A bell-rope hung by the side of the bed, which attracted Jack's attention, and he rung it violently. Raising himself up, he sunk down again as if unable to sustain his weight. "I'm frightfully weak," he murmured. "Wonder if I've been sick?" Presently a footstep sounded on the stairs and a man opening the door, entered the apartment. Jack recognized Alfred Van Hoosen. "Well, my boy," he exclaimed. "So you have come to, at last?" "Have I been very bad?" asked Jack. "Only brain fever, that's all." "How was that?" "When you threw yourself off Warrior--by the way, I sold him for fifty thousand dollars, yesterday. Thanks to you." "To me?" "Yes, indeed--you made his reputation. But as I was going to say--you struck your head against a stone, just before you made that famous 'ride or die' speech." "Is it famous?" "Well, I should think so. It's been in all the papers, and you'll be called 'Ride or die Jack,' as long as you live in this country." "You don't say so?" replied Jack, while a smile of satisfaction stole over his countenance. He was not vain, but he liked to be praised when he deserved it, and he knew he had ridden Warrior for all he was worth. "Where am I?" he added. "In my house. I took the liberty of bringing you here," replied Alfred Van Hoosen. "Don't apologize." "Oh! but I must," said Alfred, laughing. "You apologized for riding my horse to victory, don't you remember?" "Have I been ill long?" "About ten days--but don't excite yourself. The doctor says you'll be out in a week, if you keep quiet." "Thanks. I'll be quiet. Who has been nursing me?" "I am not at liberty to tell you." "Was it your sister? I thought I saw--" "Ask her yourself," interrupted Alfred Van Hoosen. "I must leave you now, as it is strictly against orders to talk to you. The nurse will bring up your beef tea in a few minutes; be good to yourself." "One moment. Did you get the cup?" "The steeple-chase cup? Yes, indeed. It adorns the family mahogany down-stairs, and mother is really proud of it. Good-by." Alfred quitted the room, and Jack sunk back on the pillow in a doze, filled with pleasant reflections. Soon the nurse, who had been engaged from a neighboring hospital, came up-stairs and sat down to watch the patient. She was not in the best temper, for she had been disturbed while at supper and was lamenting the good things she had left below stairs. "It's very odd," she murmured, "that a sick man can't be left alone for an hour. This one wouldn't die or jump out of the window. That buttered toast and those sardines I quitted were real elegant; my mouth waters at the thought of them." Scarcely had the words escaped her lips than there was a knock at the door. "Come!" she said, testily. The door opened and a dark-haired man of swarthy complexion appeared. "Please!" he exclaimed. "I've brought the medicine, from the drug-store, and they told me down-stairs to come up with it."