"You are suffering from weariness and exhaustion, my dear," said the little doctor; "and I have prescribed for you a drop of sherry, and something to take after it." "Not sugar, Henry? and really I would rather not have the wine." "Doctor's orders, my dear. There," he said, pouring the sherry into a tumbler, and filling it up with cold water, "I have made it as refreshing as I could." Mrs Bolter drank off the draught, and made a wry face, holding out her hand. "Where is the stuff for me to take afterwards?" "There, my dear," said the doctor, kissing her very tenderly. "For shame, Henry!" she cried, blushing like a girl. "Suppose anyone had seen you?" "Well, it would have been like his or her impudence to look; and if it had been talked about afterwards, really, Mary, my dear, I have grown to be such a hardened sinner over that sort of thing that I shouldn't care a bit." "Really, Henry," said the little lady, "anyone would think you were a boy, instead of being a middle-aged man." "I feel quite a boy," he said, merrily. "At least, I should if we were not in such trouble." "And we are, Henry, indeed," said the little lady, sadly. "I'm afraid I'm neglecting you terribly, my dear; but I am obliged to try and help that poor man, who is completely prostrate; and if it was not for the help Grey Stuart gives me, I'm sure I should break down. Have you any news?" "Not a scrap, my dear. Have you?" "None whatever. But now really, Henry, what do you think of the matter?" "'Pon my word, my dear, I don't know what to think." "Don't say you believe they have had a boat accident, dear. I cannot bear to think it possible." "No, my dear, I don't, and I cannot believe it," he replied. "Here is the case: For there to have been a boat accident, Helen, Arthur, Hilton, and Chumbley must have taken a boat, and they must have all gone in together." "Or Hilton may have been trying to carry Helen away, and Chumbley and Arthur, who is as brave as a lion in such matters, may have been trying to stop them, or pursued them in a second boat." "And a struggle ensued, and the boats upset, eh?" "Yes, dear," said Mrs Bolter, with a shudder. "Oh, why did you bring us out here, Henry, for such horrors to happen?" "I did not know that these horrors had happened, my dear," said the doctor, drily. "Let's see first if the boat theory holds water. I don't believe it does." "Then you think Murad is at the bottom of it?" she said, sharply. "I'm for and against," he replied. "Let's wait and see. I don't believe, however, that they are dead." "Oh, no--oh, no!" said Mrs Bolter, shuddering. "I cannot believe that. I'm afraid it's all due, in some way, to Helen's folly." "Yes, my dear," said the doctor, "and it has quite upset my intended journey in search of the true Ophir." "And that's your folly. Oh, Henry, how much happier I should be if you would give up that weakness of yours."