involuntarily looked
round for the other.

He had not far to seek. The shade covering the wired and mounted bones
of an ancient extinct bird standing on a cabinet was shattered, and the
bullet had cut through the neck vertebrae, and then buried itself in the
oaken panelling.

Guest lowered his eyes to his task again, and slowly placed the
cartridges in one pocket, the pistol in the other, when, raising his
eyes, he met the admiral's shadowed by the heavy brows; and the old
officer gave him a nod of approval.

"Well, Rebecca," he said, in a deep voice which seemed to hold the dying
mutterings of the storm which had raged in his breast but a short time
before; "we may go. I can't jump on a fallen man."

"Yes," said Miss Jerrold, with a look of sadness and sympathy at
Stratton, who stood supporting himself against the table; "we had better
go. O Malcolm Stratton," she cried passionately, "and I did so believe
in you."

He raised his face, with a momentary flush of pleasure bringing back
something of its former aspect. But the gloom of despair came down like
a cloud over a gleam of sunshine, and his chin fell upon his chest,
though a movement now and then told that he was listening bitterly to
every word.

"Yes," said Sir Mark; "it's as well you did not get in the police. Keep
it all quiet for everyone's sake. The doctor must know, though."

Stratton's face was a little raised at this, and he turned slightly as
Guest said:

"Of course. It is not a dangerous wound, but look at him."

Stratton's chin fell again upon his breast.

"In a few hours," continued the admiral, "fever will probably set in."

A low, catching breath shook Stratton, and one hand grasped the table
edge violently.

"And he will be delirious."

Stratton strove hard to contain himself, but he started violently, and
raising his face he passed his right-hand across his dripping brow.

"I cannot stop here, Guest," said Sir Mark. "Come, Rebecca, my dear.
You must not leave him alone. Shall I send in a medical man?"

"No!" cried Stratton hoarsely, in so fierce a voice that all started,
and the admiral shrugged his shoulders, and drawing himself up crossed
to the door, his sister following him with her face full of perplexity
and commiseration.

But she turned as she reached the door, hesitated for a moment, and the
rigid hardness in her face, with its anger against the man who had done
her niece so cruel a wrong, died away to give pl