at those,
seized them, ran up the stairs and vanished, leaving the door but a
crack open behind them.

Then Mr. Chiffinch turned and stared at me again. He appeared very pale
and agitated.

"Mr. Chiffinch," said I, "I will take no refusal at all. How is His
Majesty?"

His lips worked a little, and I could see that he was thinking more of
what was passing in the chamber beyond than of my presence here.

"They are blooding him again," he said; and then--"What are you doing
here?"

I took him by the lapel of his coat to make him attend to me; for his
eyes were wandering back like a mule's, at every sound behind.

"See here," said I. "If His Majesty is ill, it is time to send for a
priest. I tell you--"

"Priest!" snapped the page in a whisper. "What the devil--"

I shook him gently by his coat.

"Mr. Chiffinch; I will have the truth. Is the King dying?"

"No, he is not then!" he whispered angrily. "Hark--"

He tore himself free, darted back to the further door, and stood there,
at the foot of the stairs, with his head lowered, listening. Even from
where I was I could hear a gentle sort of sound as of moaning or very
heavy breathing, and then a sharp whisper or two; and then the noise of
something trickling into a basin. Presently all was quiet again; and the
page lifted his head. I stood where I was; for I know how it is with men
in a sudden anxiety: they will snap and snarl, and then all at once turn
confidential. I was not disappointed.

After he had waited a moment or two he came towards me once more.

"Mr. Mallock," he whispered, "the King needs no priest. He is not so ill
as that; and he is unconscious too at present."

"Tell me," I said.

Again he glanced behind him; but there was no further sound. He came a
little nearer.

"His Majesty was taken with a fit soon after he awakened. Mr. King was
here, by good fortune, and blooded him at once. Now they are blooding
him again. Her Majesty hath been sent for."

"He is not dying? You will swear that to me?"

He nodded: and again he appeared to listen. I took him by his button
again.

"Mr. Chiffinch," said I, "you must attend to me. This is the very thing
I have waited for. If there is any imminent danger you must send for a
priest. You promise me that?"

He shook his head violently: so I tried another attack.

"Well," I said, "then you will allow me to remain here? Is the Duke
come?"

"Not yet," said he. "Ailesbury is gone for him."

"Well--