hoarsely, and there were murmurs of respectful
approval. He knew now quite clearly. He made to
speak again, and again he could not.

He pressed his throat and tried a third time.

"How long?" he asked in a level voice. "How long
have I been asleep?"

"Some considerable time," said the flaxen-bearded
man, glancing quickly at the others.

"How long?"

"A very long time."

"Yes -- yes," said Graham, suddenly testy. "But
I want -- Is it -- it is -- some years? Many years?
There was something -- I forget what. I feel --
confused. But you --" He sobbed. "You need
not fence with me. How long -- ?"

He stopped, breathing irregularly. He squeezed
his eyes with his knuckles and sat waiting for an
answer.

They spoke in undertones.

"Five or six?" he asked faintly. "More?"