ad,--
The strong man fights, but the sick man dies.--
'And would he were with us now,' they said,
'The sun in our face and the wind in our eyes.'

--Ballad.

THE NILGHAI was angry with Torpenhow. Dick had been sent to bed,--blind
men are ever under the orders of those who can see,--and since he had
returned from the Park had fluently sworn at Torpenhow because he was
alive, and all the world because it was alive and could see, while he,
Dick, was dead in the death of the blind, who, at the best, are only
burdens upon their associates. Torpenhow had said something about a Mrs.
Gummidge, and Dick had retired in a black fury to handle and re-handle
three unopened letters from Maisie.

The Nilghai, fat, burly, and aggressive, was in Torpenhow's rooms.

Behind him sat the Keneu, the Great War Eagle, and between them lay a
large map embellished with black-and-white-headed pins.

'I was wrong about the Balkans,' said the Nilghai. 'But I'm not wrong
about this business. The whole of our work in the Southern Soudan
must be done over again. The public doesn't care, of course, but the
government does, and they are making their arrangements quietly. You
know that as well as I do.'

'I remember how the people cursed us when our troops withdrew from
Omdurman. It was bound to crop up sooner or later. But I can't go,' said
Torpenhow. He pointed through the open door; it was a hot night. 'Can
you blame me?'

The Keneu purred above his pipe like a large and very happy cat--'Don't
blame you in the least. It's uncommonly good of you, and all the rest
of it, but every man--even you, Torp--must consider his work. I know it
sounds brutal, but Dick's out of the race,--down,--gastados expended,
finished, done for. He has a little money of his own. He won't starve,
and you can't pull out of your slide for his sake. Think of your own
reputation.'

'Dick's was five times bigger than mine and yours put together.'

'That was because he signed his name to everything he did. It's all
ended now. You must hold yourself in readiness to move out. You can
command your own prices, and you do better work than any three of us.'

'Don't tell me how tempting it is. I'll stay here to look after Dick
for a while. He's as cheerful as a bear with a sore head, but I think he
likes to have me near him.'

The Nilghai said something uncomplimentary about soft-headed fools who
throw away their careers for other fools. Torpenhow flushed