Sir Reginald read the message, standing beside him, a hand upon his shoulder. "Stella desperately ill. Come. Ralston," were the words it contained. He laid the paper upon the table, and looked across at the Colonel. The latter nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly. Monck spoke without moving. "She is dead," he said. "My God! She is dead!" And then, under his breath, "After all,--counting me out--it's best--it's best. I couldn't ask for anything better at this devils' game. Someone's got to die." He checked himself abruptly, and again a terrible shivering seized him. Sir Reginald bent over him. "Pull yourself together, man! You'll need all your strength. Please God, she'll be better when you get there!" Monck raised himself with a slow, blind movement. "Did you ever dice with the devil?" he said. "Stake your honour--stake all you'd got--to save a woman from hell? And then lose--my God--lose all--even--even--the woman?" Again he checked himself. "I'm talking like a damned fool. Stop me, someone! I've come through hell-fire and it's scorched away my senses. I never thought I should blab like this." "It's all right," Sir Reginald said, and in his voice was steady reassurance. "You're with friends. Get a hold on yourself! Don't say any more!" "Ah!" Monck drew a deep breath and seemed to come to himself. He lifted a face of appalling whiteness and looked at Sir Reginald. "You're very good, sir," he said. "I was knocked out for the moment. I'm all right now." He made as if he would rise, but Sir Reginald checked him. "Wait a moment longer! Major Burton will be back directly." "Major Burton?" questioned Monck. "I sent him for some brandy to steady your nerves," Sir Reginald said. "You're very good," Monck said again. He leaned his head on his hand and sat silent. Major Burton returned with Tommy hovering anxiously behind him. The boy hesitated a little upon entering, but the Colonel called him in. "You had better see the message too," he said. "Your sister is ill. Captain Monck is going to her." Tommy read the message with one eye upon Monck, who drank the brandy Burton brought and in a moment stood up. "I am sorry to have made such a fool of myself, sir," he said to Sir Reginald, with a faint, grim smile. "I shall not forget your kindness, though I hope you will forget my idiocy." Sir Reginald looked at him closely for a second. His grizzled face was stern. Yet he held out his hand. "Good-bye, Captain Monck!" was all he said. Monck stiffened. The smile passed from his face, leaving it inscrutable, granite-like in its composure. It was as the donning of a mask. "Good-bye, sir!" he said briefly, as he shook hands. Tommy moved to his side impulsively. He did not utter a word, but as they went out his hand was pushed through Monck's arm in the old confidential fashion, the old eager affection was shining in his eyes. "He has one staunch friend, anyhow," Sir Reginald muttered to the Colonel.