s guess was verified. The surgeon had been at home when
the messenger arrived, and had started five minutes later, arriving
three or four hours earlier than they had even ventured to hope.

Mrs. Barker at once led the way into the next room and, a few
minutes later, came out again for hot water and sponges. Kate had
stolen away upstairs, when the surgeon had entered the house. The
two men remained to hear the verdict.

"He is going to probe the wound. He can give no opinion, yet, till
he discovers what course it has taken; but he says that it is a
favourable symptom that the pulse is so strong and regular. He
wishes you both to come in, as it will be necessary to hold his
patient's hands, while he is making the examination."

"I cannot give any positive opinion," the surgeon said, when he had
finished the examination. "I can't find the ball, and I cannot tell
for certain what course it took, after entering; but I think,
judging from the pulse, and I may say from the expression of his
face, that no vital part is injured."

An exclamation of thankfulness broke from Mrs. Donald.

"We must not be too sanguine," Mr. Ruskin went on; "but there is
certainly strong ground for hope. I shall be able to give a more
definite opinion, in the course of a few hours. He must, of course,
be kept perfectly quiet; with no more nourishment than is
absolutely necessary, and that in the shape of beef tea. I should
make him a bed here. We will manage to slide a door under him, and
lift him on to it, with as little movement as possible.

"At any rate, madam," he said, turning to Mrs. Donald, "I can
congratulate you upon the fact that the bullet did not strike a
couple of inches higher. Had it done so, my ride would have been a
useless one."

A bed was at once brought from a room above and made up, and Mr.
Donald was placed upon it, in the manner which Mr. Ruskin had
suggested. Then with lightened hearts the party, with the exception
of his wife, left the room.

Kate and Mrs. Barker at once set to to prepare a meal for the
surgeon; while Reuben went over to give his companions the good
news, that the surgeon had strong hopes that Mr. Donald would
recover.

In the afternoon all the party, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs.
Barker and the constables, rode off to their respective stations;
assuring Reuben of their readiness to assemble again, at once,
should he obtain news which would afford a hope that the gang could
be traced.

A