h with which he
was thrown forward jerked his pocket-book from the breast-pocket of his
coat, and it fell to the ground a foot or two in front of him. It was
instantly picked up by a loafer, who had been leaning against the pile
of boxes, and who alone had witnessed the accident; he immediately
stooped to help the prostrate man, and finding him pale and still,
shouted for assistance, and was quickly joined by a knot of
"larrikins," who dragged the unconscious man a little further from the
edge of the quay.

It was not long before a small crowd had gathered round, the man who
had first observed him making a safe escape in the confusion, Cardo's
pocket-book carefully hidden under his tattered coat.

"Better take him up to Simkins the chemist," said a broad-shouldered
sailor; and, procuring a stretcher, they carried their unconscious
burden to the chemist's shop.

"Why, let me see," said Mr. Simkins; "surely this is the gentleman who
called here a few minutes ago. I told him to go home, and he said he
would; but I noticed he turned down towards the quay; poor fellow, bad
case, I'm afraid. He said he thought he was sickening for typhoid
fever, and he's about right, I think."

"What shall we do with him?" said the sailor. "See if you can find a
card or letter in his pockets? Nothing," he added, as together they
searched Cardo's pockets, "not a card, nor a letter, nothing but this
bunch of keys, and some loose gold and silver."

There was no clue to the stranger's identity, except the marking on his
clothing.

"Here's C. W. on his handkerchief--Charles Williams, perhaps; well, he
ought to be attended to at once, if he ain't dead already," said
another.

"Yes, a good thing the hospital is so near," said the chemist. "You
had better leave his money here, and tell Dr. Belton that you have done
so. My brother is his assistant. I daresay we shall hear more about
him from him."

"Now, then, boys; heave up, gently, that's it," and Cardo was carried
out of the shop to the hospital in an adjoining street. Here, placed
on a bed in one of the long wards, doctors and nurses were soon around
him; but Cardo lay white and still and unconscious.

One of the bearers had mentioned typhoid fever, and Dr. Belton looked
grave and interested as he applied himself to the examination of the
patient.

"My brother has been here," said his assistant; "this man had just been
in to his shop, and said he believed he was sickening fo