Doctor Bronson, during a careful and thorough examination of Lane's heart, lungs, blood pressure, and abdominal region, did not speak once. But when he turned him over, to see and feel the hole in Lane's back, he exclaimed: "My God, boy, what made this--a shell? I can put my fist in it." "That's the bayonet jab." Doctor Bronson cursed in a most undignified and unprofessional manner. Then without further comment he went on and completed the examination. "That'll do," he said, and lent a hand while Lane put on his clothes. It was then he noticed Lane's medal. "Ha! The _Croix de Guerre!_... Daren, I was a friend of your father's. I _know_ how that medal would have made him feel. Tell me what you did to get it?" "Nothing much," replied Lane, stirred. "It was in the Argonne, when we took to open fighting. In fact I got most of my hurts there.... I carried a badly wounded French officer back off the field. He was a heavy man. That's where I injured my spine. I had to run with him. And worse luck, he was dead when I got him back. But I didn't know that." "So the French decorated you, hey?" asked the doctor, leaning back with hands on hips, and keenly eyeing Lane. "Yes." "Why did not the American Army give you equal honor?" "Well, for one thing it was never reported. And besides, it wasn't anything any other fellow wouldn't do." Doctor Bronson dropped his head and paced to and fro. Then the door-bell rang in the reception room. "Daren Lane," began the doctor, suddenly stopping before Lane, "I'd hesitate to ask most men if they wanted the truth. To many men I'd lie. But I know a few words from me can't faze you." "No, Doctor, one way or another it is all the same to me." "Well, boy, I can fix up that vertebra so it won't slip out again.... But, if there's anything in the world to save your life, I don't know what it is." "Thank you, Doctor. It's--something to know--what to expect," returned Lane, with a smile. "You might live a year--and you might not.... You might improve. God only knows. Miracles _do_ happen. Anyway, come back to see me." Lane shook hands with him and went out, passing another patient in the reception room. Then as Lane opened the door and stepped out upon the porch he almost collided with a girl who evidently had been about to come in. "I beg your----" he began, and stopped. He knew this girl, but the strained tragic shadow of her eyes was strikingly unfamiliar. The transparent white skin let the blue tracery of veins show. On the instant her lips trembled and parted. "Oh, Daren--don't you know me?" she asked. "Mel Iden!" he burst out. "Know you? I should smile I do. But it--it was so sudden. And you're older--different somehow. Mel, you're sweeter--why you're beautiful." He clasped her hands and held on to them, until he felt her rather nervously trying to withdraw them. "Oh, Daren, I'm glad to see you home--alive--whole," she said, almost in a whisper. "Are you--well?"