possible; me, to help me in my work. I have asked some of your late
companions who tell me that on shipboard you were not only well and of
good sight, but that you were remarkable even amongst strong men.
Whatever it is you suffer from must have come on quickly. Tell me all
you can remember of it.'

The Doctor listened attentively whilst Harold told all he could remember
of his sufferings. When he spoke of the return of old rheumatic pains
his hearer said involuntarily: 'Good!' Harold paused; but went on at
once. The Doctor recognised that he had rightly appraised his remark,
and by it judged that he was a well-educated man. Something in the
method of speaking struck him, and he said, as nonchalantly as he could:

'By the way, which was your University?'

'Cambridge. Trinity.' He spoke without thinking, and the instant he had
done so stopped. The sense of his blindness rushed back on him. He
could not see; and his ears were not yet trained to take the place of his
eyes. He must guard himself. Thenceforward he was so cautious in his
replies that Mr. Hilton felt convinced there was some purpose in his
reticence. He therefore stopped asking questions, and began to examine
him. He was unable to come to much result; his opinion was shown in his
report to Lady de Lannoy:

'I am unable to say anything definite as yet. The case is a most
interesting one; as a case and quite apart from the splendid fellow who
is the subject of it. I have hopes that within a few days I may be able
to know more. I need not trouble you with surgical terms; but later on
if the diagnosis supports the supposition at present in my mind I shall
be able to speak more fully. In the meantime I shall, with your
permission, wait here so that I may watch him myself.'

'Oh you are good. Thank you! Thank you!' said Stephen. She had so
taken the man under her own care that she was grateful for any kindness
shown to him.

'Not at all,' said Mr. Hilton. 'Any man who behaved as that fellow did
has a claim on any of us who may help him. No time of mine could be
better spent.'

When he went back to the patient's room he entered softly, for he thought
he might be asleep. The room was, according to his instructions, quite
dark, and as it was unfamiliar to him he felt his way cautiously. Harold,
however, heard the small noise he made and said quietly:

'Who is there?'

'It is I; Hilton.'

'Are you alone?'

'Yes.'

'Look round th