in
this state of semi-stupefaction. He was pretty tired.

That whispering, he realized after a while, was nothing more than the
monotonous murmur of rain upon a shingle roof, and the gurgle from
dripping eaves. Oh yes! It had been pouring for several days; raining
buckets, barrels--Ten thousand barrels a day!

Yonder was something familiar; a patent, spring rocking-chair. Gray
knew it well. It creaked miserably when you sat in it, and when you got
up to look at diamond rings it snapped its jaws at you like an
alligator. Odd that they'd let an alligator into the Ajax Hotel.
Nelson's doings, probably. Always up to some deviltry, that Nelson.
But, thank God, the fire was out, and that ear-splitting racket that
hurt his head had changed into the soothing patter of raindrops. There
couldn't be any fire with ten thousand barrels of rain falling.

Gray closed his eyes and dozed briefly. But he had dreams; calamity
haunted him; he awoke to the realization of some horror. Slowly his
brain began to function, then more swiftly, until, like a flood
released, memory returned. He groaned aloud.

Allegheny Briskow appeared out of nowhere and laid a soothing hand upon
his brow. When she saw the light of sanity in his eyes, her face
brightened and she cried, eagerly:

"You're coming around all right, aren't you?"

"Ten thousand barrels!" he mumbled. "They said it would be a big well
and I counted on it."

"Don't try to think--"

"But it came in a gasser. I remember it all now--nearly all. I--I'm
about ruined, I guess."

"No, no!"

"It caught fire."

"You mustn't talk. Everything is all right--all right, honestly. I'll
tell you everything, but just you rest now until Buddy comes." There
was magnetism to the girl's touch and comfort in her voice.

It was some time later that Gray opened his eyes and spoke in a more
natural voice, saying, "How do I happen to be here in your house,
Allie?"

"We brought you over at daylight. Buddy's gone for a doctor, but he'll
be back." The girl averted her face quickly and moved toward the window.

"I remember being hurt in some way--derrick fell on me, or something.
Then the well caught fire. What time is it?"

"It's afternoon. About four o'clock. Buddy 'll be back--" Allie's voice
caught queerly. "He'll get back somehow."

"He ought to be at the well--putting it out. God! What a sight! I see
it yet!"

"The well is out!" Allie returned and seated herself beside the bed.
"You probab