nk so, sir?"

"Of course."

"Then you wouldn't tell the Doctor about it?"

"About that? Absurd! Here, you're not up to the mark yourself, my
lad."

"Well, no, sir; can't quite reach it yet; but I'm a deal better."

"Full of fancies, that's all. What! were you thinking that your master
was a bit off his head?"

"Something o' that sort, sir."

"Then don't think so any more. He's fanciful enough without you
beginning."

"Then you don't think it's anything to mind?"

"No, of course not. I'm glad to see him getting so much stronger."

Drummond nodded, and being in a good deal of pain, began to nurse his
arm again, and tried whether whistling would soothe the sharp, gnawing
ache which seemed to run from his wrist up to his shoulder.

Gedge waited till his footsteps died out, and then turned to go back to
Bracy's room.

"His is only a clean cut of a tullywor," he muttered, "and'll soon grow
together. Different thing to a ragged bullet-wound right through the
chest and back, or one like mine, right in the back. I don't like the
looks o' all this, though; but he must know better than me, after seeing
a lot o' poor fellows cut down and shot; but I think I ought to tell the
Doctor."

He opened the door softly and went in, to find that Bracy had been
watching for him anxiously.

"Here, Gedge!" saluted him.

"Yes, sir. Get yer a drink, sir?"

"No, no; I want to speak to you. I think I can trust you, Gedge?"

"Yes, sir; of course, sir. What yer want me to do?"

"Hold your tongue, my lad."

"Yes, sir."

"Don't tell the Doctor or Mrs Gee that I hit Captain Roberts on the
back yesterday."

"How could I, sir? Did yer?"

"Yes, yes," said Bracy hurriedly. "Nor yet about my arm doing what it
did."

"No, sir, cert'n'y not; but I say, sir, you know, your arm didn't do
nothing but go to sleep."

"Nor yet about my trying to kick Mr Drummond," said Bracy, without
heeding his fellow--sufferer's words.

"Oh no; I shan't say nothing to nobody, sir, unless you tell me to."

"That's right," said Bracy, with a sigh of relief. "That will do. Go
now; I want to sleep till Mr Drummond comes back."

"Right, sir," said Gedge, and he went to the bed's head and gently
raised the sufferer, while he turned the pillow.

"Makes yer head a bit cooler, sir."

"Yes, thanks, Gedge," said Bracy drowsily; and by the time the lad was
outside he was half-asleep.

"I don't like them games of the guvnor's," said Gedge