s mind upon Schmidt, when he
saw to his surprise by the glow of a dying fire a familiar form. "Mr.
Girard!" he cried, in pleased surprise; for in the country little was as
yet known of the disregard of death with which this man and many more
were quietly nursing the sick and keeping order in a town where, except
the comparatively immune negroes, few aided, and where the empty homes
were being plundered. The quick thought passed through Rene's mind that
he had heard this man called an atheist by Daniel Offley.

He said to Girard: "Ah, Monsieur, have you seen Monsieur Schmidt?"

"Not for three days. He has been busy as the best. There is one man who
knows not fear. Where is he, Vicomte?"

"We do not know. We have heard nothing since he left us two weeks ago.
But he meant to live in Mrs. Swanwick's house."

"Let us go and see," said Girard; and with the man who already counted
his wealth in millions Rene hurried on. At the house they entered
easily, for the door was open, and went up-stairs.

In Schmidt's room, guided by his delirious cries, they found him.
Girard struck a light from his steel and flint, and presently they had
candles lighted, and saw the yellow face, and the horrors of the
_vomito_, in the disordered room.

"_Mon Dieu!_ but this is sad!" said Girard. "Ah, the brave gentleman!
You will stay? I shall send you milk and food at once. Give him water
freely, and the milk. Bathe him. Are you afraid?"

"I--yes; but I came for this, and I am here to stay."

"I shall send you a doctor; but they are of little use."

"Is there any precaution to take?"

"Yes. Live simply. Smoke your pipe--I believe in that. You can get
cooler water by hanging out in the air demijohns and bottles wrapped in
wet linen--a West-Indian way, and the well water is cold. I shall come
back to-morrow." And so advising, he left him.

De Courval set the room in order, and lighted his pipe, after obeying
Girard's suggestions. At intervals he sponged the hot body of the man
who was retching in agony of pain, babbling and crying out about courts
and princes and a woman--ever of a woman dead and of some prison life.
De Courval heard his delirious revelations with wonder and a pained
sense of learning the secrets of a friend.

In an hour came Dr. Rush, with his quiet manner and thin, intellectual
face. Like most of those of his profession, the death of some of whom in
this battle with disease a tablet in the College of Physicians records