urned, he was sent to the parsonage, with a request for
a pair of dry clean sheets, a bottle of cognac, and some of Hardy's
linen handkerchiefs. Garth returned in a white heat, without the
articles he was sent for. Hardy had supposed that the news of the
accident would have reached the parsonage, and after enumerating the
articles required, he added a request that they should be given to
Garth to take to Rasmussen's. Kirstin read the note, and put several
questions to Garth, which, from his ignorance of Danish, it was
impossible for him to answer; "When suddenly," said Garth, "she
appeared to get into a rage. She rushed at me, beat me about the head,
and shouted at me."

The district doctor now came in, and Hardy's attention was occupied.
He told him what he had seen of the accident, and the symptoms of
injury internally. The doctor was used to cases either more or less
grave of a similar character, and he showed much cool professional
skill. "I will remain here," e said to Hardy, "until sent for. The
case is hopeless, and all that can be done is to watch by him."

When the doctor left, Hardy decided to remain, as Nils Rasmussen's
wife and family were incapable of being of the slightest use. He sent
Garth to his lodgings, with orders to come to Rasmussen's at six the
next morning.

Meanwhile Hardy had been expected at the parsonage, and it grew later
and later.

"He is stopping with the Jensens," said the Pastor,

"No, he is not!" burst out Kirstin; "he is at Rasmussen's. He sent
that man of his here a while since for a pair of sheets and a bottle
of the best brandy to take to Rasmussen's, and you can see the writing
he sent by his servant."

The Pastor took the scrap of paper and read it aloud.

"It is that bold, bad hussey, Karen Rasmussen!" said Kirstin.

"How can you know that?" said Froken Helga.

"Know it!" exclaimed Kirstin; "I am sure of it. No man can be so good
as the Englishman appears to be."

The Pastor and his family retired to rest with a shock of grief and
pain. "He must leave at once," thought the Pastor.

Shortly after six the next morning, Garth fetched one of Rasmussen's
neighbours, whom he sent with the following note to the pastor,
written on a similar scrap of paper as his unfortunate communication
of the previous evening, and torn from his note-book.

"Dear Herr Pastor,

"Nils Rasmussen, the workman at Jorgensens, is sinking fast. You have,
of course, heard of the accident? The d