poor fellow would start up in wild affright,
but his touch only resulted in a dull, incoherent muttering, and the
shake had to be repeated two or three times before the fugitive slowly
sat up and gazed at him vacantly, laying one hand upon his burning
forehead the while.

"Yes," he said slowly, "What is it?"

"I have come back," said Waller. "Don't you know me? Why, you are not
half awake yet. It will be dark soon, quite dark by the time we get
home, and I am going to take you there."

The poor fellow passed his hand two or three times across his forehead,
as if to clear away some mist that hindered his perceptions.

"I say, you have had a splendid sleep," continued Waller. "Feel better
now?"

"Sleep? Better? I don't know--don't know. Yes, I do. You came and
brought me something to eat, and I have been to sleep and dreaming
about--Oh!" he groaned, and, leaning forward and covering his face with
his hands, he began to rock himself to and fro as if the mental agony
from which he suffered was too hard to bear.

Waller looked on in silence for a few moments, before reaching forward
and laying his hand upon the poor fellow's shoulder, when the touch
acted like magic. His hands were caught in those of the fugitive, who
rose painfully to his feet and spoke in a low, quick, hurried way.

"Yes," he said, "I am ready. Take me where you said; but," he added,
glancing sharply round with a wild and fevered look in his eyes, "did
the soldiers come, or did I dream it?"

"Dreamt it," said Waller emphatically.

"Ah!" was sighed. "Am I speaking properly? I--I don't quite know what
I say. It's my head, I suppose--my head."

"You are not quite awake," said Waller encouragingly. "There, come down
to the river and bathe your face. It's getting beautifully cool now;
and then we will go gently home through the woods."

The poor fellow nodded quickly, obeying his companion to the letter, and
seeming to trust himself entirely in his hands.

He seemed a little clearer after lying down and bathing his face; but as
they walked slowly towards the Manor there were moments when he began to
turn dizzy and reeled. But they reached the old Elizabethan house at
last, quite in the dusk of evening, and, following out his settled
plans, Waller led his companion in through the porch, across the hall,
and upstairs, quite unseen, and rather breathless himself, while his
companion seemed to have grown calmer. He unlocked the door o