rotesque shadows danced over the
walls and ceiling, and sprawled uncertainly on the floor. Clemency
looked up in James's face, and her own had a shocked whiteness and
horror, in spite of the tenderness in his. "Tell--" she began.

"What, dear?"

"Was it--that man?"

James hesitated.

"Tell me," Clemency said imperiously.

"Yes, I think it was."

Clemency glanced as if instinctively at the dog, lying asleep in a white
coil on the hearth. "What was the matter with him?" she asked in a
hardly audible voice.

"He had fallen, dear, and was unconscious."

"Nothing--" Clemency glanced again at the dog, and did not complete her
question.

"He had recovered consciousness," James said hastily.

"Then he is not going to die." It was impossible to say what kind of
relief was in the girl's voice, but relief there was.

"I see no reason why he should. I don't think your uncle thought he
would die."

"Where have they taken him?"

"To the hotel. Now, Clemency dear, you must put all this out of your
mind and go to bed."

Clemency obeyed like a child. She kissed James, took a candle, and went
upstairs.

James went into his own room, but he did not undress or go to bed.
Instead, he sat at the window facing the street and stared into the
darkness, watching for Doctor Gordon's return. He sat there for nearly
two hours, then he heard wheels, and saw the dark mass of the team and
wagon lumber into sight. He ran through the house, and was in the drive
with a lantern when the team entered. "Have you been waiting for us,
Elliot?" called Doctor Gordon's tired voice.

"Yes, I thought I would."

"I stayed until I was sure he was comfortable," said Gordon. He
clambered over the wheel of the wagon like an old man. When he was in
the office with James, and the lamp was lit, he sank into a chair, and
looked at the younger man with an expression almost of despair.

"He is not going to die of it?" asked James hesitatingly.

"No," cried Gordon, "he shall not!" He looked up with sudden, fierce
resolution and alertness. "Why should he die?" he demanded. "He is far
from being old or feeble. His vitals are not touched. Why on earth
should you think he would die?"

"I see no reason," James replied hastily, "only--"

"Only what, for God's sake?"

"I thought you looked discouraged."

"Well, I am, and tired of the world, but this man is going to live. See
here, boy, suppose you see if there is any hot water in the kitchen, and
we'