On the five occasions during recent years on which men had entered her tent with the object of murdering her, Jane Hubbard had shot without making inquiries. What strange feminine weakness it was that had caused her to utter a challenge on this occasion, she could not have said. Probably it was due to the enervating effects of civilisation. She was glad now that she had done so, for, being awake and in full possession of her faculties, she perceived that the intruder, whoever he was, had no evil intentions. “Who is it?” she asked. “I don’t know how to apologise!” “That’s all right! Let’s have a light.” A match flared in the darkness. Miss Hubbard lit her candle, and gazed at Mr. Bennett with quiet curiosity. “Walking in your sleep?” she inquired. “No, no!” “Not so loud! You’ll wake Mr. Hignett. He’s next door. That’s why I took this room, in case he was restless in the night.” “I want to see Bream Mortimer,” said Mr. Bennett. “He’s in my old room, two doors along the passage. What do you want to see him about?” “I wish to inform him that he may still consider himself engaged to my daughter.” “Oh, well, I don’t suppose he’ll mind being woken up to hear that. But what’s the idea?” “It’s a long story.” “That’s all right. Let’s make a night of it.” “I am a dying man. I awoke an hour ago with a feeling of acute pain....” Miss Hubbard listened to the story of his symptoms with interest but without excitement. “What nonsense!” she said at the conclusion. “I assure you....” “I’d like to bet it’s nothing serious at all.” “My dear young lady,” said Mr. Bennett, piqued. “I have devoted a considerable part of my life to medical study....” “I know. That’s the trouble. People oughtn’t to be allowed to read medical books.” “Well, we need not discuss it,” said Mr. Bennett stiffly. He resented being dragged out of the valley of the shadow of death by the scruff of his neck like this. A dying man has his dignity to think of. “I will leave you now, and go and see young Mortimer.” He clung to a hope that Bream Mortimer at least would receive him fittingly. “Good-night!” “But wait a moment!” Mr. Bennett left the room, unheeding. He was glad to go. Jane Hubbard irritated him.