st
heaved, and he lay half muttering to himself, half moaning, a pitiful
spectacle of weakness and exhaustion.

When, an hour later, Rosalind glided in, her father walked with finger
to his lips to meet her.

"Make no noise," said he, "the dear lad is sleeping. Don't disturb him
whatever you do."

That was a bad night in the sick-room. The fever rose higher and
higher. Roger tossed and moaned ceaselessly all night, and for the
first time wandered in his talk. Armstrong, who looked in once or
twice, durst not let himself be seen by the patient for fear of adding
to his excitement. A midnight messenger was despatched for Dr
Brandram, who came, looking very grave, and remained at the bedside all
night. Captain Oliphant was indefatigable in his inquiries and
attentions. He denied himself his natural sleep in order to linger near
the dear one's door and feed on the crumbs of information which from
time to time came out. He insisted on lending Dr Brandram a pair of
his own slippers, and besought Armstrong, with his bad arm, to take care
of himself and go shares in his brandy and water.

Finally, when the doctor peremptorily ordered every one to bed, he
retired in a chastened mood to his own room, where he packed his trunk
and smoked his cigar thoughtfully till daylight struggled through the
windows.

Then he took a brief nap in his arm-chair, and was astir in time to meet
the doctor as he descended to the hall.

"What news?" he asked.

"Don't ask me," said the doctor; "my calculations are completely upset.
Something has excited him. Whom did he see yesterday?"

"Only my daughter and his mother, and, for a short time, myself."

"Was he at all disturbed while you were there?"

"On the contrary, he was drowsy when I entered and drowsy when I left.
He may possibly have caught sight of Mr Armstrong when he looked in."

"He should not have come near him in his present state. Anything that
reminds him of the accident is bad for him."

"Dear, dear, what a pity! No doubt the boy caught sight of him. Tell
me, doctor--may I venture up to town for a day or two on important
business? If you thought I should stay--"

"No. I hope it's not quite as bad as that; but you should leave word
where a message will find you, if necessary. Good day."

"I'm not quite such a fool," growled the doctor to himself as he walked
to the stables, "as you think me, my fine fellow. If you were in the
room half an hour last nigh