r staff-surgeon, Andreae, entered the room,
followed by Dr. Rademacher and a hospital orderly. He gave a rapid
glance of surprise at the unusual surroundings, and went at once to the
bed.

Vogt had risen at his entrance. Andreae nodded to him, and pointing to
Klitzing, asked: "Has he never recovered consciousness?"

"No, sir."

The medical-officer then bent his head to the injured man's chest, and
listened to his breathing for some time. Finally he felt his pulse. The
hand fell back as if lifeless upon the coverlet.

"Unfortunately you are right," he said to Rademacher; and as the other
looked questioningly at him he added, shrugging his shoulders, "Nothing
can be done."

So saying he went up to Vogt, and laid his hand kindly upon the young
man's arm: "Dr. Rademacher has told me," he said, "how the poor fellow
sacrificed himself for your sake. It grieves me very much to have to
say it, but I cannot hide the truth from you. Your friend has indeed
given his life for yours; he has but a short time to live."

Vogt remained fixed in the stiff soldierly attitude he had assumed;
otherwise he felt he would have fallen to the ground. "Then, sir," he
stammered, "will he never wake up again?"

"That no one can tell," answered the surgeon. "I hardly think so."

"But I may stay with him?"

"Yes, certainly. You are quartered here for to-night. You yourself are
invalided in any case, and to-morrow your friend will not last till
then, I fear, probably not even till this evening. So pull yourself
together, my man, and be proud that you have had such a brave fellow
for a friend. Friendship even unto death! There are not many like that
nowadays. God knows, I wish we could help the poor fellow!"

Andreae was quite affected by the unusual circumstances of the case;
but he had other duties, and dared not indulge his feelings. He drew
himself up, and continued in firm tones: "We must dress your wound for
you too, Vogt; but first I ought to set the driver's leg."

"We must go," he said, turning to the others; "the gunner will remain
with his comrade for the present."

Vogt followed the doctor with his eyes. When the door closed he turned
them towards the pale face of his dear friend. It was true then?
Klitzing had given his life for him. And no one could do anything to
help. There was a hot sensation in his throat, and then at last his
sorrow found relief in a flood of tears.

After a time he looked again at his friend. How whi