h perhaps a life as the
forfeit.

Harold went all over the room, and at last sat down on the edge of his
bed with a hollow suppressed groan that was full of pain. He had found
his clothes, but realised that they were now but rags. He put on the
clothes, and then for a long time sat quiet, rocking gently to and fro as
one in pain, a figure of infinite woe. At last he roused himself. His
mind was made up; the time for action had come. He groped his way
towards the window looking south. The Doctor, who had taken off his
shoes, followed him with catlike stealthiness.

He easily threw open the window, for it was already partly open for
ventilation.

When Mr. Hilton saw him sit on the rail of the balcony and begin to raise
his feet, getting ready to drop over, he rushed forward and seized him.
Harold instinctively grappled with him; the habit of his Alaskan life
amidst continual danger made in such a case action swift as thought. Mr.
Hilton, with the single desire to prevent him from killing himself, threw
himself backward and pulled Harold with him to the stone floor.

Harold, as he held him in a grip of iron, thundered out, forgetful in the
excitement of the moment the hushed voice to which he had limited
himself:

'What do you want? who are you?'

'H-s-s-sh! I am Mr. Hilton.' Harold relaxed the rigour of his grasp but
still held him firmly:

'How did you come here? I locked my door!'

'I have been in the room a long time. I suspected something, and came to
watch; to prevent your rash act.'

'Rash act! How?'

'Why, man, if you didn't kill, you would at least cripple yourself.'

'How can I cripple myself when the flower-bed is only a few feet below?'

'There are other dangers for a man who--a man in your sad state. And,
besides, have I no duty to prevent a suicide!' Here a brilliant idea
struck Harold. This man had evidently got some wrong impression; but it
would serve to shield his real purpose. He would therefore encourage it.
For the moment, of course, his purpose to escape unnoticed was foiled;
but he would wait, and in due time seize another opportunity. In a
harder and more determined tone than he had yet used he said:

'I don't see what right you have to interfere. I shall kill myself if I
like.'

'Not whilst you are in my care!' This was spoken with a resolution equal
to his own. Then Mr. Hilton went on, more softly and with infinite
compassion: 'Moreover, I want to have a talk