Bauer had made no move and
Walter, recalling his strength of character and mindful that the news
would have to come to him some time, finally shook himself together,
went out, crossed the hall and knocked on Bauer's door.

The knock was a faint one and there was no reply. He knocked again a
little louder, and getting no answer, he did what he often did, opened
and went in.

Bauer was standing over by his washbowl, leaning over and as he raised
his head and turned around, Walter was startled at the look that greeted
him.

"What!" He took a stride over to his friend and put one hand on his
shoulder. In the other hand he held the New York paper.

Bauer smiled back at him.

"I was going to tell you. It's too much bother to hide it. But this
hemorrhage is worse than the others. I've been to see the doctor and he
says I'll come out all right if I can get into the painted desert and
stay there a year or two."

Walter stared at Bauer without a word.

The paper slipped out of his fingers, and he was hardly conscious of the
fact that Bauer had stepped on it as he had walked over to his couch to
lie down there.

"You see," he said, lying on his back, looking up at Walter and speaking
in his usual slow fashion, "I've only had the flow three times. First
time I never minded it. Next one took me three weeks ago while you were
gone to the Harrisburg Exhibition. The doctor says I will come out all
right if I go out there. My money will come in a day or two and I'll
start for Canyon Diablo. I ought to have a pretty good time on $4,500.
Living is cheap in the painted desert. And any way, 'Wir mussen alie
einmal sterben?' 'We must all die sometime,' you know."

Walter's eyes travelled from Bauer's face to the newspaper on the floor
and back again. And Bauer mistaking his look said, "Don't take it so
hard. It might be worse. Money salves the wound you know. Perhaps you
can go out with me for a few weeks. Can you? Of course I'll foot all the
bills if you'll go." And he smiled at Walter as he spoke.

CHAPTER XI

WALTER was trembling with sympathy and the sudden shock from the
unexpected revelation of Bauer's physical condition. He was so
overwhelmed with this that the loss of the money seemed comparatively
trivial.

"Why did you not tell me the condition you were in? I ought to have
known about it. It does not seem possible."

"It's not as serious as it seems. You remember Gardner, class of 1909?
He's out in New Mexico