to direct questions. But that he was
thinking deeply I did not doubt.

'That's South Petherwin church,' I said, as the car dashed through the
village; 'it's only a mile or two now.'

'That Dr. Merril seems a sensible chap. You say you asked him to admit
no one into the room but Sir Thomas and Lady Bolivick. Why?'

'I hardly know,' I replied. 'I think I acted on impulse.'

'A very good thing, sometimes.' And after that he did not speak another
word till we reached the house.

When I entered Edgecumbe's room I found him still alive, but weaker. I
noticed that a kind of froth had gathered around his mouth, and that his
eyes had a stony stare. He was still unconscious, and had not uttered a
coherent sentence since I had left.

'Will every one kindly leave the room except Dr. Merril?' And Colonel
McClure looked towards Sir Thomas and Lady Bolivick as he spoke.

'Do you wish me to go too, Colonel?' I said.

'I think my words were plain enough,' and he spoke like a man in a temper.

'I suppose every one has gone to bed,' I remarked to Sir Thomas.

'No, Lorna is still up. She is a silly girl,--of course she can do no
good.'

'And Captain Springfield?'

'He left about midnight. He asked to be allowed to see the patient, but
Merril wouldn't let him go into the room. I thought he behaved to the
captain like a clown.'

'In what way?'

'Well, Springfield's a clever fellow, and has seen many curious cases of
illness while he has been in the East. He said that Edgecumbe's
condition reminded him of the illness of an orderly he once had, and
wanted to tell Merril about him. But doctors are all the same, they all
claim to be autocrats in a sick-room. My word, Luscombe, you must have
had a weary night. My advice to you is to go to bed immediately.'

'Not until I have heard McClure's report.'

When we came into the library, we found Buller and Lorna Bolivick there.
I thought the young squire seemed anxious and ill at ease, while Lorna
was much excited. On seeing me, however, she asked eagerly for news of
Edgecumbe.

'There is nothing to tell as yet,' I replied. 'By the way, how did
Springfield get home?'

'Oh, he took the car.'

'And how did he imagine that Buller was to get back?'

'I expect he forgot all about Charlie,' was the reply, 'but--he seemed
rather excited, and insisted that he must return at once. Charlie will
have to stay here until daylight, and then some one can drive him over.'