was incapable of doing anything by halves, he made a
slight movement and put out his hand.

"Thank you," he said simply. "You have heartened me more than I can
say."

"I am so glad," she answered in a low tone, allowing her hand to rest
for a mere instant in his. "Now I want you to shut all trouble out of
your mind, and go to sleep for a long time. Will you?"

At that the corners of his mouth went down.

"Easier said than done, I'm afraid. But it's sound advice; and I'll do
my best to act upon it."

"In that case--you are bound to succeed."

And, without waiting for his possible answer, she slipped quietly out
of the room.

CHAPTER XXVI.

STAND TO YOUR GUNS.

"It is so that a woman loves who is worthy of heroes."
--R. L. S.

Wyndham, returning to the bungalow soon after ten o'clock, found it
readjusted to its new conditions. Frank Olliver had returned to her
empty home; and Desmond, at his own request, had had his camp-bed made
up in the study, that he might in no way disturb his wife. She herself
had retired early, without going in to him again. Honor noted and
wondered at the omission; but since Evelyn had said nothing about her
short interview with Theo, she forbore to question her or press her
unduly at the start.

When Paul arrived Desmond was sound asleep, wearied out with pain of
body and mind; while Honor moved noiselessly to and fro, setting in
readiness all that might be wanted before morning. Paul came armed
with Mackay's permission to remain on duty for the night, taking what
little rest he required on the drawing-room sofa, and Honor could not
withhold a smile at his satisfaction.

"I believe you're jealous!" she said. "You want to oust me, and have
him all to yourself!"

"You are right," he answered frankly; and going over to the bed, stood
looking upon his friend in an unspeakable content, that even anxiety
was powerless to annul.

For all that, it was late before Honor managed to leave her patient,
and slip away into the bare room where Harry Denvil lay awaiting the
dawn.

Save for the long scar across his face, no suggestion of that last
desperate fight was visible; and in the presence of the Great Silence,
her own turmoil of heart and brain was stilled as at the touch of a
reassuring hand. She knelt a long while beside the Boy. It pleased her
to believe that he was in some way aware of her companionship; that
perhaps