And if some one else has saved me the trouble I suppose I ought to feel obliged to him." Mr.Porson saw that in Ned's present state it was useless to talk to him.

Two nights without sleep, together with the intense excitement he had gone through, had worked his brain to such a state of tension that he was not responsible for what he was saying.

Further conversation would do him harm rather than good.

What he required was rest and, if possible, sleep.

Mr.Porson therefore only said quietly: "We will not talk about it now, Ned; your brain is over excited with all you have gone through.