The
watchers were still in the room. Vernon was not yet informed of the
relation he sustained to the proprietor of the mansion in which he now
involuntarily abode. He thought that, considering the unequivocal
circumstances under which he had been made a prisoner, he was treated
with a great deal of gentleness; but to him the reason was not apparent.
He had been an alien from his father's house for a long period, and was
not acquainted with the history of the past three or four years of the
doctor's life.
His mind was now occupied in devising the means of escape; and just as
he had struck upon a feasible project, he was interrupted by the
entrance of Jerry Swinger, who had been sent by Dr. Vaudelier to
ascertain the present frame of his son's mind, and broach to him the
tidings that he was beneath his father's roof,--a circumstance of which
his watchers were also ignorant.
"Well, stranger, how do you feel yourself, this morning?" asked Jerry.
"Better. That was a cursed hard rap which some one gave me, last night,"
replied Vernon,--as, from the force of habit, we must still call him.
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