it is the same--James Hambleton of Lynn?"
Aleck nodded and she went on: "That's what he told me, the night we
were wrecked."

Agatha looked at Aleck, as if she would discover whether he were
trustworthy or not, before giving him more of her story. Presently she
continued:

"He's a very brave, a very wonderful man. He jumped overboard to save
me, after I fell from the ladder; and then they left us and we swam
ashore. But long before we got there I fainted, and he brought me in,
all the way, though he was nearly dead of exhaustion himself. He had
hemorrhage from overexertion, and afterward a chill. And now there is
fever."

Agatha's voice was trembling. Aleck watched her as she told her tale,
the flush of happiness and joy still lighting up his face. As she
finished relating the meager facts which to her denoted so many
heart-throbs, a sob drowned her voice. As Aleck followed the story,
his own eyes wavered.

"That's Jim, down to the ground. Good old boy!" he said.

There was silence for a minute, then he heard Agatha's voice, grown
little and faint. "If he should die--!"

Aleck, still standing by Agatha's couch, suddenly shook himself.
"Where is he? Can I see him now?"

Agatha got up slowly and led the way down the hall, pointing to a door
that stood ajar. It was evident that she was weak.

"I can't go in--I can't bear to see him so ill," she whispered; and as
Aleck looked at her before entering the sick-room, he saw that her eyes
were filled with tears.

Agatha went back to her couch, feeling that the heavens had opened.
Here was a friend come to her from she knew not where, whose right it
was to assume responsibility for the sick man. He was kind and good,
and he loved her rescuer with the boyish devotion of their school-days.
He would surely help; he would work with her to keep death away.
Whatever love and professional skill could do, should be done; there
had been no question as to that, of course, from the beginning. But
here was some one who would double, yes, more than double her own
efforts; some one who was strong and well and capable. Her heart was
thankful.

Before Aleck returned from the sick-room, Doctor Thayer's step sounded
on the stairs, followed by the mildly complaining voice of Sallie
Kingsbury. Presently the two men were in a low-voiced conference in
the hall. Agatha waited while they talked, feeling grateful afresh
that Doctor Thayer's grim professional wisdom was to