d been observed for all that: Run
your best now, Greef King! Double and turn how you will, there is a
swifter Nemesis pursuing. It is only a dog, and not a big one at that,
but it is of a faithful breed that knows neither fear nor quarter. Like
white lightning, without a bark or growl, Chum launched himself on the
fleeing quarry, and in the shadow of the trees his teeth met in the
ragged trousers-leg.

Kicking, beating with his hands at the dragging weight, the man dashed
on. Not till they had reached the hemlocks was that fierce grip broken,
and then it was with a tearing of flesh and sinew. Panting, snarling
with rage and pain, the man seized a fallen branch and stood at bay,
striking out with vicious sweeping blows. But the bulldog, the hair
bristling up on his thick neck, his red-rimmed eyes fiery, circled
beyond reach of the flail, crouching for another spring.

Again he launched himself, and the man, dodging, blundered full-face
into a thorn-bush. The sharp spines slashed his forehead and the
starting blood blinded him, so that he ran without sense of
direction--straight upon the declivity of Lovers' Leap.

He was toppling on its edge before he could stop, and then threw himself
backward, clutching desperately at the slippery fern-covered rock,
feeling his feet dangling over nothing. He dug his fingers into the
yielding soil and with knee and elbow strove frenziedly to crawl to the
path.

But the white bulldog was upon him. The clamping teeth met in the
striving fingers, and with a scream of pain Greef King's hold let go
and dog and man went down together.

CHAPTER XLIV

THE MAJOR BREAKS SILENCE

Ten minutes later a motor was hurling itself along the Red Road to
the village. The doctor was in his office and no time was lost in the
return. En route they passed Judge Chalmers driving, and seeing the
flying haste, he turned his sweating pair and lashed them after the car.

So that when the major finally opened his eyes from the big leather
couch, he looked on the faces of two of his oldest friends. Recollection
and understanding seemed to come at once.

"Well--Southall?"

The doctor's hand closed over the white one on the settee. He did not
answer, but his chin was quivering and he was winking fast.

"How long?" asked the major after a lengthy minute.

"Maybe--maybe an hour, Bristow. Maybe not."

The major winced and shut his eyes, but when the doctor, reaching
swiftly for a phial on the tabl