on his lips.

"What on earth's the matter?" he said instead.

She was shivering as if with cold, though the risen sun had filled the
world with spring-like warmth. It occurred to him as he entered, that
she was looking pinched and ill, and he put a comforting arm around her.

"What is it, Stella girl? Tell me!"

She relaxed against him with a sob. "I've been--horribly anxious about
you," she said.

"Oh, is that all?" said Tommy. "What a waste of time! I was only over at
Khanmulla. I spent the night at Barnes's bungalow because they wouldn't
trust me in the jungle after dark."

"They?" she questioned.

"Barnes and Everard," Tommy said, and faced her squarely. "I went to see
Everard."

"Ah!" She caught her breath. "Major Ralston has been here. He told
me--he told me--" her voice failed; she laid her head down upon Tommy's
shoulder.

He tightened his arm about her. "It's a shame of Ralston to frighten
you. He isn't ill." Then a sudden thought striking him, "What was he
doing here so early? Isn't the kid up to the mark?"

She shivered against him again. "He had a strange attack in the night,
and Major Ralston said--said--oh, Tommy," she suddenly clung to him, "I
am going to lose him. He--isn't--like other children."

"Ralston said that?" demanded Tommy.

"He didn't tell me. He told Bernard. I practically forced Bernard to
tell me, but I think he thought I ought to know. He said--he said--it
isn't to be desired that my baby should live."

"What?" said Tommy in dismay. "Oh, my darling girl, I am sorry! What's
wrong with the poor little chap?"

With her face hidden against him she made whispered answer. "You know
he--came too soon. They thought at first he was all right, but
now--symptoms have begun to show themselves. We thought he was just
delicate, but it isn't only that. Last night--in the night--" she
shuddered suddenly and violently and paused to control herself--"I
can't talk about it. It was terrible. Major Ralston says he doesn't
suffer, but it looks like suffering. And, oh, Tommy,--he is all I have
left."

Tommy held her comfortingly close. "I say, wouldn't you like Everard to
come to you?" he said.

"Oh no! Oh no!" Her refusal was instant. "I can't see him. Tommy, why
suggest such a thing? You know I can't."

"I know he's a good man," Tommy said steadily. "Just listen a minute,
old girl! I know things look black enough against him, so black that
it's probable he'll have to send in his papers.