"It could not have been a friend, then, with whom you took refuge," said Rich. Mark was silent. "Must it not have been a dream?" said Janet in a whisper to her companion. "No," said Rich aloud. "I think that all Mark recollects before he took this medicine must be true, and that this friend must have drugged him." Mark drew a long, catching breath between his teeth. "And robbed him while he slept." Mark's breast rose and fell as if he were suffering some great emotion, and he stared at Rich wildly, his hand twitching and his lip quivering as he waited for her next speech, which seemed to crush him, as she asked in a clear firm voice. "Who was the friend to whose house you went?" He looked at her wildly, with the thoughts of the consequences of telling her that which he believed to be the truth--that Dr Chartley-- her father--the father of the woman he passionately loved--had drugged him--taken the treasure for which he had fought so hard, and then cast him forth feverish and delirious into the river to die. For he realised it now: he had been swimming; he could even recall the very plunge; he had been cast into the river to drown, and somehow he must have struggled out. "Who was the friend, Mark?" she said again, in her calm firm way. "Yes, who was it?" cried Janet, with her little lips compressed. "You are right, Rich. Some one did do this dreadful thing. Who was it, Mark?" The sick man turned from her with a shudder, while she, all excitement now, pressed his hard hand. "Tell us, Mark dear, that he may be punished, and made to restore what he has stolen." "No, no!" he said excitedly; "I cannot tell you--I do not know." "Try and recollect, Mark," said Rich gently; and she looked in his face with an appealing smile. "No, no!" he gasped, as he shuddered again; "it is impossible. I--I do not know. And Heaven forgive me for my lie!" he muttered, as he sharply withdrew his hands, sank back upon his pillow, and covered his face. "He must be left now," said the nurse firmly, "He is very weak, and your visit is proving painful. Say good-night to him. You can come to-morrow. He will be stronger after a night's rest." "But--there is no danger?" whispered Rich, as she caught the sister's hand. "No; the danger is past, but he must be kept quiet. Say good-night." Janet bent down and kissed her brother lovingly; and as she drew back from his pallid drawn face, Rich took her place and held out her hand. Mark caught it in both his, and there was an agonised look in his eyes. "Rich," he whispered passionately, "I have come back to you a beggar, after fighting so hard. Heaven knows how hard, and what I am suffering for your sake. I cannot tell you more. I only say, believe in me and trust in me. Kiss me, my love--my love."