"Not much," Nap admitted. "But you--you haven't the force of a day-old puppy. Maybe, when I'm out of the way fighting my devils in the desert, you'll give Capper a free hand, and let him make of you what you were always intended to be--a human masterpiece. There won't be any obstacles when I'm out of the way." Lucas's hand felt for and closed upon his. "If that's your condition, it's a bargain," he said simply. "And you'll put up a fight for it, eh, Luke? You're rather apt to slack when I'm not by." Was there a hint of wistfulness in the words? It almost seemed so. A very tender look came into the elder man's eyes. "With God's help, Boney," he said, "I'll pull through." Nap rose as if that ended the interview. Yet, rising, he still gripped the weak hand of the man who was his master. A moment he stood, then suddenly bent very low and touched it with his forehead. "I leave to-night," he said, and turning went very quickly and noiselessly from the room. CHAPTER XV ON THE EDGE OF THE PIT It was a very cheery Dot Waring who ran across the wet fields that afternoon to the Manor to acquaint Lady Carfax with the gratifying intelligence that the proceeds of the great entertainment at which she had so kindly assisted actually amounted to close upon thirty pounds. Baronford had done its humble best towards providing itself with a Town Hall, had in fact transcended all expectations, and Dot was in high spirits in consequence. It was something of a disappointment to be met by old Dimsdale with the intelligence that her ladyship was very tired and resting. He added, seeing Dot's face fall, that Mrs. Errol was spending a few days at the Manor and would no doubt be very pleased to see her. So Dot entered, and was presently embraced by Mrs. Errol and invited to take tea with her in the conservatory. "Yes, dear Anne's in bed," she said. "She and Nap went for a motor ride yesterday, and broke down and were benighted. Nap always was sort of reckless. We had a message late last night telling us what had happened, and I went off at once in the big car and brought Anne back. Nap had to wait for his own car, but I guess he's back by this time. And poor Anne was so worn out when we got back that I persuaded her to go to bed right away. And I stopped to take care of her." In view of the fact that Mrs. Errol was never happier than when she had someone to take care of, this seemed but natural, and Dot's straightforward mind found nothing unusual in the story. She remained for nearly an hour, chattering gaily upon a thousand topics. She was always at her ease with Mrs. Errol. At parting, the latter held her for a moment very closely. "Happy, dearie?" she asked. "Oh, ever so happy," said Dot, with warm arms round her friend's neck. Mrs. Errol sighed a little, smiled and kissed her. "God keep you so, child!" she said.