ey were there at all; and then, with a hasty shuffling
movement, darted across the floor and down on his knees.

The following colloquy was held as soon as the last roll of defiled
bandage had dropped to the floor, and Frank's foot was disclosed.

"How long's this been going on?" asked the doctor sharply, holding the
discolored thing carefully in his two hands.

"Well, sir," said the Major reflectively, "he began to limp about--let's
see--four days ago. We were coming through--"

The doctor, watching Frank's face curiously (the spasm was over for the
present), cut the Major short by a question to the patient.

"Now, my boy, how d'you feel now?"

Frank's lips moved; he seemed to be trying to lick them; but he said
nothing, and his eyes closed, and he grinned once or twice, as if
sardonically.

"When did these spasms begin?" went on the doctor, abruptly turning to
the Major again.

"Well, sir--if you mean that jerking--Frankie began to jerk about half
an hour ago when we were sitting down a bit; but he's seemed queer since
breakfast. And he didn't seem to be able to eat properly."

"How do you mean? D'you mean he couldn't open his mouth?"

"Well, sir, it was something like that."

The doctor began to make comments in a rapid undertone, as if talking to
himself; he pressed his hand once or twice against Frank's stomach; he
took up the filthy bandage and examined it. Then he looked at the boot.

"Where's the sock?" he asked sharply.

Gertie produced it from a bundle. He looked at it closely, and began to
mumble again. Then he rose to his feet.

"What's the matter with him, doctor?" asked the Major, trying to look
perturbed.

"We call it tetanus," said the doctor.

"Who are you, my man?" he said. "Any relation?"

The Major looked at him loftily.

"No, sir.... I am his friend."

"Ha! Then you must leave your friend in my charge. He shall be well in a
week at the latest."

The Major was silent.

"Well?" snapped the doctor.

"I understood from your servant, sir--"

"You speak like an educated man."

"I am an educated man."

"Ha--well--no business of mine. What were you about to say?"

"I understood from your servant, sir, that this was not quite in your
line; and since--"

The specialist smiled grimly. He snatched up a book from a pile on the
table, thrust open the title-page and held it out.

"Read that, sir.... As it happens, it's my hobby. Go and ask Dr.
Foster, if you like.... No, sir; I