"Your master is much worse!" he replied, looking at me very keenly. "I expect the crisis to-night!" "He will recover, sir, I hope. You will surely save him, Sir Charles!" "I don't know!" Mr. Sefton Dagmar took up his hat and left the room, throwing me a wink as he passed. "I think it's up to me to take a constitutional," he observed, by way of excusing his departure. "Au revoir, Sir Charles!" "Au revoir!" returned the surgeon. His eyes had never left my face. He waited until we heard the street door close, then he said quietly: "And how is your mother, Brown?" "She is dead, sir!" I spoke the words in a low, dull tone, but without attempting any exhibition of emotion. I knew better than to play such a game with the man before me. "I'm sorry to hear that," he observed. "You'll want to attend her funeral, I suppose. When is she to be buried?" "This afternoon, sir," I answered looking at the floor. He drew in a long, sharp inspiration, which said plainer than words: "I thought so!" I understood that he suspected me. I raised my eyes to his, however, with a worried melancholy expression, and I said in a hesitating way. "It's very good of you, sir, to sympathize with me--I'm sure--I--I--I--feel almost emboldened to take a liberty. I'm, I'm in great trouble, sir?" "Well, Brown?" His eyes were gleaming like drawn swords. "It's this way, sir," I muttered. "My mother's illness has run away--with my little bit of savings, sir--and--and--the undertaker wants spot cash for the coffin, sir. He won't trust me, and I don't know what to do, seeing master is so ill. It'd be all right, if he was well, for I haven't drawn my last month's wages, sir." "I see, you wish me to lend you some money." I hung my head in real artistic shame. "I'd never dare--ask--you, sir!" I muttered brokenly, "but since you've said it yourself, sir, I--I--" I paused as if unable to proceed. "How much do you need?" "Five pounds would do, sir. Master owes me eight, and I could make it over to you, if you'd only be so good. You see, sir, I'd hate"--I choked--"a--a--pauper funeral, sir." "Naturally, my man," his voice was much kinder. "But there will be no need for that. I shall lend you the money with pleasure. Let me see, it's ten now, I shall return to see your master again at twelve and bring the money with me. I have only a few shillings about me at this moment!" "Thank you, sir," I stammered. "I'll never forget it of you, sir!" At that juncture I allowed a tear to roll down my cheek, as I raised my face to look at him, but I brushed it hastily away, as though ashamed.