Percy Guest--" began Stratton fiercely.

"It's of no use," said Guest. "Only waste of words. Come along."

Stratton made a quick movement to avoid him, and staggered into a chair;
when his eyes closed, and he lay back fainting.

"Poor wretch!" muttered Guest, snatching the basin and sponge to begin
bathing the already damp face. "I oughtn't to have bullied him."

In a few moments Stratton opened his eyes again, and his first look was
directed round the room.

"It's all right, old chap," said Guest. "Temper's gone. Come, be
sensible. I won't say disagreeable things to you. Give up the keys.
You'd be better for a drop of brandy."

"No," said Stratton hastily. "Go and leave me now."

"Impossible. You must have the doctor."

"I cannot; I will not."

"But you must."

"Do you hear what I say?" cried Stratton fiercely.

"Yes. There is no occasion to fly out at me for wanting to be of
service."

"I want no help. I must be alone."

"To go wandering off into a fit of delirium. There, I'll call old
mother Brade to fetch a surgeon."

"You will not do so. I forbid it."

"Exactly, but you are a patient now. There, don't be idiotic. I can
read you like a book."

Stratton looked up at him sharply.

"You don't want the doctor to see your wound and know how it came--
there, don't stare in that wild way--leave it to me. It was an
accident. You were fooling about with a revolver. Cleaning it, say;
and it went off. That's all the doctor need know."

"No one must know even that."

"But your wound must be properly dressed."

"I will not have it touched," cried Stratton decisively. "Now, once
more. I am not much hurt. Go."

Guest laughed bitterly.

"No, my boy, you don't get rid of me. I'll stick to you like your
conscience."

Stratton's eyes dilated.

"And I'm going to be master here till you are well bodily and mentally."

"I tell you I am not much hurt. Mentally! Pooh, I'm as well as you
are."

"Better, of course. Why, what nonsense you are talking!" cried Guest,
pointing to the other's wounded shoulder. "Come, don't let us argue
more. Give in sensibly, there's a good fellow, and let me do my best
for you. I know you see things in a wrong light now, but you'll thank
me some day."

They watched each other furtively, and Guest could see how hard his
friend was evidently planning to get rid of him, while, on his own part,
he was calculating his chances. He knew that mad people