"You did, Tim, you did," assented Lesbia, who was seated by the now recovered man, and looking somewhat weary after her exertions, "but as George is comparatively well, he can explain." "The cross is quite safe," said Walker faintly. "I left it at home. Oh, my head, how it aches. No wonder, when such a heavy blow was struck." "Who struck it, dear?" inquired Lesbia. "I don't know," George's voice was weary. "It's a long story." "Drink some more of this," said Lesbia, holding the glass to his pale lips, "and wait until you feel stronger." "Oh, I'm much better now," he replied, pushing the brandy and water away, "but I shan't be able to go to the office to-morrow morning." "Beg-ad, it's to-morrow morning already!" said Tim, glancing at the clock. "Half-past twilve as I'm a sinner, an' here's Miss Lesbia an' mesilf sittin' up like the quality. Oh, the sowl av me, what will the masther say?" "What can he say?" demanded Miss Hale tartly. "Father can't hold you and me accountable for the unexpected." "Unexpected, indeed," breathed George. "Who would have thought that I would have been struck down on the towing-path. I can't guess the reason, Lesbia, it's beyond me." "The crass! the crass!" muttered Tim, shaking his shaggy head. "What do you know about it?" demanded Lesbia. "Divil a thing, but that it brings bad luck," answered Tim sturdily. "It is not altogether bad luck that George has been brought here for me to attend to him," she retorted. "No, dear," Walker patted her hand, "this accident shows me what an angel you are. But how did I come here?" "Don't you know who brought you?" "I know nothing from the time I was struck down on the towing-path near Medmenham, until the moment I saw you standing in yonder doorway with a candle in your hand." Lesbia knitted her pretty brows. "I can't understand. Some enemy----" "I have no enemies," murmured George positively. "Then it's a mystery," declared the girl, still more perplexed. "Tell me exactly what took place." Walker passed his hand wearily across his forehead, for his head ached considerably. "After leaving you with your father, darling, I rowed back to Medmenham, and went home to the cottage. My mother was not within, as she had gone up to town early in the day and did not intend to return until to-morrow----" "That's to-day, begob!" interpolated Tim, again looking at the clock. "Then it is to-day she returns," said Walker, in a stronger voice, "about three in the afternoon. But to continue, Lesbia, I had my dinner and smoked a pipe. Then I grew restless, wondering if you were having a bad time with your father on my account. I thought he would make things unpleasant for you, and determined to come down and see what had happened. That was about ten o'clock." Lesbia patted his hand. "You need not have troubled, dear. My father and I got on very well together."