ause the end was drawing near and the life energy failing.

For the second time Sir John Larkom came down from London to see the
patient, but every one knew that there was nothing to be done. Even
Erica began to understand that the time left was to be measured only
by hours. She learned it in a few words which Sir John Larkom said to
Donovan on the stairs. She was in her own room with the door partly
open, eagerly waiting for permission to go back to her father.

"Oh, it's all up with the poor fellow," she heard the London doctor say.
"A wonderful constitution; most men would not have held out so long."

At the time the words did not convey any very clear meaning to Erica;
she felt no very sharp pang as she repeated the sentence to herself;
there was only a curious numb feeling at her heart and a sort of dull
consciousness that she must move, must get away somewhere, do something
active. It was at first almost a relief to her when Donovan returned and
knocked at her door.

"I am afraid we ought to come to the court," he said. "They will, I am
sure, take your evidence as quickly as possible."

She remembered then that the man Drosser was to be brought up before the
magistrates that morning; she and Donovan had to appear as witnesses of
the assault. She went into her father's room before she started; he
had specially asked to see her. He was quite clear-minded and calm,
and began to speak in a voice which, though weak and low, had the old
musical ring about it.

"You are going to give evidence, Eric," he said, holding her hand in
his. "Now, I don't forgive that fellow for having robbed me of life, but
one must be just even to one's foes. They will ask you if you ever saw
Drosser before; you will have to tell them of that scene at Greyshot,
and you must be sure to say that I said, as we drove off: 'No doubt the
poor fellow is half-witted.' Those were my words, do you remember?"

"Yes," she said, repeating the words after him at his request. "I
remember quite well."

"Those words may affect Drosser's case very much, and I don't wish any
man to swing for me I have always disapproved of the death penalty.
Probably, though, it will be brought in as manslaughter yes, almost
certainly. There go, my child, and come back to me as soon as you can."

But the examination proved too much for Erica's physical powers; she was
greatly exhausted by the terrible strain of the long days and nights
of nursing, and when she found her