“At Schwarenbach?” “Yes. Oh, come! They are so ill.” “I am sure Dr. Medlicott will do all he can for them,” said another voice, which John saw proceeded from a very tall, slight youth, with a fair, delicate, girlish face. “Had he not better get into the carriage and return to the hotel?” “By all means.” And John found himself without much volition lifted and helped into the carriage, where Cecil Evelyn scrambled up beside him, and put an arm round him. “Poor old Monk, you are dead beat,” he said, as the carriage turned, the other two walking beside it. “Did you come that pace all the way down?” “Only after the wood.” “Well, ‘twas as plucky a thing as I ever saw. But is Skipjack so bad?” “Dreadful! Light-headed all yesterday--horrid pain! But not so bad as Armine. If something ain’t done soon--he’ll die.” “Poor little Brownlow! You’ve come to the right shop. Medlicott is first rate. Did you know it was we?” “No--only--an English doctor,” said John. “Mother sent us abroad with him, because they said Fordham must have Swiss air; and poor old Granny still goes on in the same state,” said Cecil. “We got here on Tuesday evening, and saw your names; but then the fog came, and it snowed all yesterday, and the doctor said it would not do for Fordham to go so high. And the more I wanted them to come up with you, the more they would not. Were they out in that snow?” Here came an order from the doctor not to make his friend talk, and Johnny was glad to obey, and reserve his breath for the explanation. He did not hear what passed between the other two, as they walked behind the carriage. “A fine fellow that! Is he Cecil’s friend?” “No, I wish he were. However, it can’t be helped now, in common humanity; and my mother will understand.” “You mean that it was her wish that we should avoid them.” “She thinks the influence has not been good for Cecil.” “That was the reason you gave up the Gemmi so easily.” “It was. But, as I say, it can’t be helped now, and no harm can be done by going to see whether they are really so ill.” “Brownlow is the name. I wonder if they are any relation to a man I once knew--a lecturer at one of the hospitals?” “Not likely. These are very rich people, with a great house in Hyde Park regions, and a place in the country. They are always asking Cecil there; only my mother does not fancy it. It is not a matter of charity after the first stress. They can easily have advice from England, or anywhere they like.” By this time they reached the hotel, and John alighted briskly enough, and explained the state of affairs in a few words. “My dear boy,” said Dr. Medlicott, “I’ll go up at once, as soon as I can get at our travelling medicine-chest. Luckily we have what is most likely to be useful.” “Thank you,” said Johnny, and therewith he turned dizzy, and reeled against the wall.