“Thank you, old pals. I understand what it is you are trying to do. It's no use. I fired the shot. It isn't necessary to say anything more to you, I'm sure, except that, as God is my witness, I did not intend the bullet for Frederic. It was an accident in that respect. Thank you for what you would do. It isn't necessary, old pals. The story that Ranjab tells must stand for the time being. Later on--well, I may _write_ my own story and give it to the world.” “Write it?” said Mr Dawes, and Brood nodded his head slowly, significantly. “Oh, Jim, you--you mustn't do that!” groaned Mr Dawes, appalled. “You ain't such a coward as to do that!” “There is one bullet left in that revolver. Ranjab advised me to save it--for myself. He's a thoughtful fellow,” said Brood. “Jim,” said Mr Riggs, squaring himself, “it's too bad that you didn't hit what you shot at.” Mr Dawes turned on him in a flash. “None o' that, Joe,” he said, and this time he was very much in earnest. “She's all right. You'll all find out she's all right. I tell you a woman can't nurse a feller back from the edge of the grave, yes, from the very bottom of it almost, and not betray her true nature to that same feller in more------” “Jim,” interrupted Mr Riggs, ignoring his comrade's defence, “I see she's going to nurse Freddy. Well, sir, if I was you, I'd------” Brood stopped him with an impatient gesture. “I must ask you not to discuss Mrs Brood.” “I was just going to say, Jim, that if I was you I'd thank the Lord that she's going to do it,” substituted Mr Riggs somewhat hastily. “She's a wonderful nurse. She told me a bit ago that she was going to save his life in spite of the doctor.” “What does Dr Hodder say?” demanded Brood, pausing in his restless pacing of the floor. “He says the poor boy is as good as dead,” said Mr Riggs, “Ain't got a chance in a million,” said Mr Dawes. They were surprised to see Brood wince. He hadn't been so thin-skinned in the olden days. His nerve was going back on him, that's what it was; poor Jim! Twenty years ago he would have stiffened his back and taken it like a man. It did not occur to them that they might have broken the news to him with tact and consideration. “But you can depend on us, Jim, to pull him through,” said Mr Riggs quickly. “Remember how we saved you back there in Calcutta when all the fool doctors said you hadn't a chance? Well, sir, we're still------” “If any feller can get well with a bullet through his----” began Mr Dawes encouragingly, but stopped abruptly when he saw Brood put his hands over his eyes and sink dejectedly into a chair, a deep groan on his lips. “I guess we'd better go,” whispered Mr Riggs, after a moment of indecision, and then, inspired by a certain fear for his friend, struck the gong resoundingly. Silently they made their way out of the room, encountering Ranjab just outside the door. “You must stick to it, Ranjab,” said Mr Riggs sternly.