in pencil. There
was a strange faintness at my heart, and my fingers trembled as I opened
them. Fear, fear was clutching me, compressing me in an agonising grip.

Here was the first.

"My Darling Boy: Why didn't you come? I was all ready for you. O,
it was such a terrible disappointment. I've cried myself to sleep
every night since. Has anything happened to you, dear? For Heaven's
sake write or send a message. I can't bear the suspense.

"Your loving

"Berna."

Blankly, dully, almost mechanically, I read the second.

"O, come, my dear, at once. I'm in serious danger. He's grown
desperate. Swears if he can't get me by fair means he'll have me by
foul. I'm terribly afraid. Why ar'n't you here to protect me? Why
have you failed me? O, my darling, have pity on your poor little
girl. Come quickly before it is too late."

It was unsigned.

Heavens! I must go to her at once. I was well enough. I was all right
again. Why would they not let me go to her? I would crawl on my hands
and knees if need be. I was strong, so strong now.

Ha! there were the Worm's clothes. It was after midnight. The nurse had
just finished her rounds. All was quiet in the ward.

Dizzily I rose and slipped into the frayed and greasy garments. There
were the hospital slippers. I must wear them. Never mind a hat.

I was out in the street. I shuffled along, and people stared at me, but
no one delayed me. I was at the restaurant now. She wasn't there. Ah!
the cabin on the hill.

I was weaker than I had thought. Once or twice in a half-fainting
condition I stopped and steadied myself by holding a sapling tree. Then
the awful intuition of her danger possessed me, and gave me fresh
strength. Many times I stumbled, cutting myself on the sharp boulders.
Once I lay for a long time, half-unconscious, wondering if I would ever
be able to rise. I reeled like a drunken man. The way seemed endless,
yet stumbling, staggering on, there was the cabin at last.

A light was burning in the front room. Some one was at home at all
events. Only a few steps more, yet once again I fell. I remember
striking my face against a sharp rock. Then, on my hands and knees, I
crawled to the door.

I raised myself and hammered with clenched fists. There was silence
within, then an agitated movement. I knocked again. Was the door ever