Dr. Cummins told Mr. Fabian that he should remain in attendance on his patient all night. Then, at the desire of Mr. Rockharrt, he cleared the sick room of every one except the old negro woman. When the door was shut upon them all, and the chamber was quiet, he administered a sedative to his patient and advised him to close his eyes and try to compose himself. Then the doctor sat down on the right side of the bed, with old Martha on his left. There was utter silence for a few minutes, and then old Aaron Rockharrt spoke. "What's the hour, doctor?" "Seven," replied the physician after consulting his gold repeater. "But I advise you to keep quiet and try to sleep," he added, returning his timepiece to his fob. As if the Iron King ever followed advice! As if he did not, on general principles, always run counter to it! "Didn't I see my fool of a grandson among the other lunatics who ran after me here?" he next inquired. "Yes." "Where is he now?" "With the ladies, I think." "Send--him--up--to--me!" The doctor shrugged his shoulders and went to obey the order. The obstinacy of this self-willed egotist was surely growing into a monomania, and perhaps it would have been more dangerous to oppose him than to comply with his whim. In a few moments Dr. Cummins re-entered the room, followed by Sylvan Haught. "I hope you are feeling easier," said the lieutenant, as he bent over his grandfather. "I have not complained of feeling uneasy yet, have I?" growled the Iron King. "You sent for me, sir. Can I do anything for you?" "For me? No; not likely! But you can do your duty to your country! How is it that you are not on your way to join your regiment?" "I had actually bidden good-by and left the house to start on my journey, when I met men bringing you home." "What the demon had that to do with it?" "I could not go on, sir, and leave you under such circumstances." "Look here, young sir!" said the Iron King, speaking hoarsely, faintly, yet with strong determination. "Do you call yourself a soldier or a shirk? Let me tell you that it is the first duty of a soldier to obey orders, at all times, under all circumstances, and at all costs! If you had been a married man, and your wife had been dying--if you had been a father, and your child had been dying, it would have been your duty to leave them!" "But, sir, there was no real need that I should go by this night's express. If I should start to-morrow morning, I shall be in good time to report for duty. It was only my zeal to be better than prompt which induced me to start earlier than necessary. To-morrow will be quite time enough to leave for New York." "Very well; then go to-morrow by the first train," said the Iron King in a more subdued manner, for the sedative was beginning to take effect. At a hint from the doctor the young lieutenant bade his grandfather good-night and softly stepped out of the room. CHAPTER XXV. THE SICK LION.