"I came down right away. I
couldn't be sure it was true. Seemed sort of unofficial, don't you
know?" He smiled again. Zaidos understood. He was delirious. He
went on muttering disjointed sentences which Zaidos paid no attention
to; but every time the man smiled his gay, light-hearted, unconscious
smile, Zaidos felt the strange sense of acquaintance. He could see
that the man was almost gone. He had lost almost all the blood in his
body, and Zaidos did not dare to move him, nor even shift the weight of
the unconscious but living man who laid across the shattered leg.
Zaidos felt sure that he would die before Velo returned. And he was
still more convinced that the man was at his end when after a few
moments of stupor, he opened his eyes quite sanely and looked at Zaidos.

"That was a pretty bad blow for me, wasn't it, old chap?" he said
quietly. "I think I won't make out to stop much longer. I've been
here since eleven this morning. Pretty long for a man hurt like this.
I am glad you ran across me. There's a lot of papers in my blouse.
Would you mind sending them to the address on the outside envelope?
And I wish you would write to my father. Tell him it's all right.
Tell him not to let Frank enlist if he can help it. He's too young.
And if you can mark the place they put me, it would be a mighty kind
thing. Mother would be so glad if she could have me safe in the church
at home, some day. Will you do this?"

"Of course I will," said Zaidos. "But I think you have got a chance."

"I don't want it," said the wounded man. "I could not fight again, and
there are reasons--I really don't care a hang about living. Just send
those letters for me. And one thing more," he tried to lift his hand
to his throat, but was too weak. "Will you kindly take off the chain
under my blouse," he said, "before anyone else gets here?"

Zaidos felt for the chain with his free hand, still pressing the artery
with the other. As he found the chain, a large locket was released
from the man's blouse and, swinging against his buttons, sprung open.
Unconsciously Zaidos looked at it.

"Send that with the rest," said the officer. He closed his eyes.

"Here, you!" cried Zaidos. "Quit that! Don't you _dare_ go and die!
Do you hear me? Don't you do it! Do you hear? I want to talk! I
don't need to send this anywhere. If you just hang on, you will see
her! _Helen is here_! Don't die now! You want to see her, don't you?
I