in his face,--a kind
of empty exaltation it seemed,--and his familiarity in touching Mr.
Clayton's person was so extraordinary, that that gentleman was alarmed
for Baker's sanity. Then Baker leaned forward and whispered one
terrible word,--

"_Cholery!_"

Cholera! Great God! No wonder that Mr. Clayton turned deathly pale and
leaned heavily against the wall.

At midnight the stranger died, and none in the house had heard of the
frightful danger which had come to assail them. The physician and Baker
had been with him constantly, but their efforts had availed nothing;
and after preparing him for the grave they went out and locked the
door. Mr. Clayton was waiting for them. The anxious look in the faces
of the two gentlemen was intensified; Baker's evinced nothing but calm
consciousness of responsibility. The guests were slumbering.

"We must alarm the house," whispered Mr. Clayton.

The doctor shook his head sadly. "If we do," he said, "there will be a
panic; and, besides, the night air of these mountains is very cool, and
if they go from their warm beds into it, likely without taking time to
dress, the danger will be great."

They both seemed helpless and undecided, and in need of some one to
choose between two evils for them. They turned to Baker in silence and
for his decision. He seemed to have expected it, for without a word,
without submitting it for their concurrence, he went to the end of that
passage and rapped upon a door. There was an answer, Baker mentioned
his name, the door was opened, and the dreadful news was quietly
imparted. The guest was terror-stricken, but a word from Baker gave him
heart, and he hastily but quietly began preparations to leave the
house. Thus went Baker from one door to another, imposing silence and
care and careful dressing, and advising the people to take with them
such bedding as they could. Mr. Clayton and the physician, observing
the remarkable success of Baker's method, adopted it, and soon the
three men had the great house swarming. It was done swiftly, quietly,
and without panic, and the house became empty.

But selfishness appeared without shame or covering. Every one in the
house wanted Baker's assistance, for all the porters had fled, and
there was none other than he to work. So he staggered and toiled under
the weight of enormous trunks; listened to a hundred orders at once;
bore frightened children and fainting women in his strong, sure arms;
labored until his fac