d not hear her for he
was lying there crumpled in a senseless heap.

With a cry she freed him and bent over him. Her supple young arms went
under his shoulders. She raised him, half dragging, half lifting,
until she had him stretched upon the floor in front of the stove. She
ran for a basin of water, cut some linen into strips and, on her knees
beside him, she bathed and dressed the raw, open wound in his side,
where a bullet had ripped and torn along the white flesh.

When she finished, she raised his limp head and bathed his brow with
cold water.

The fugitive groaned and opened his eyes.

He smiled a wan sort of smile through a grimy, unshaven mask, as he
looked into the sweet face above him. Then he closed his eyes again,
as if he feared the picture might vanish.

"Oh, brace up!" Eileen whispered tearfully, almost shaking him in her
fear. "You must brace up. They've gone. But they may come back. If
they do, they'll be sure to get you."

Gathering his scattered senses, the man on the floor raised himself
with an effort on to his elbow. He struggled to his feet and swayed
unsteadily. He passed his hand over his eyes and made an involuntary
movement as if to thrust his fingers through his hair. As he did so, a
pained expression crossed his face, for his fingers encountered
nothing but a short stubble of hair close cropped to his skin.

Eileen lent him her support, as he tried to brace himself. She set him
in an armchair, then brought him bread, butter, some cold meat and
fresh milk from the cupboard, placing them on the table before him.

Only his eyes expressed thanks, but they did it eloquently. Ravenously
he turned to, while his young hostess watched him in curiosity and
wonder, for never before had she seen one really famishingly hungry.

When not a morsel remained, the man pushed back his chair and turned
to the young lady apologetically.

"You'll excuse me if I forgot my table manners, but--but that was my
first food for three days."

He rose.

"I guess I will be able to make it now. I feel all right;--thanks to
you."

"No, no!" exclaimed Eileen, "you mustn't go just yet. You must rest
if only for a few minutes. I was anxious before these men were clear
away, but they have gone. The rest will do you good."

"No!--I must go. It--it would mean trouble for you if they found me
here."

"You shan't! Sit down!" she commanded. "You may require all your
strength before morning."

She set him in the