"You have no use for it just now," she said. "Please be sensible and let me have it!" "Sensible!" he said. His eyes sought hers suddenly, involuntarily, and she had a sense of shock which she was quick to control; for they held in their depths the torment of hell. "You are wrong," he said, and the deadly intention of his voice made her quiver afresh. "I have a use for it. At least I shall have--presently. There are one or two things to be attended to first." It was then that a strange and new authority came upon Stella, as if an unknown force had suddenly inspired her. She read his meaning beyond all doubting, and without an instant's hesitation she acted. "Captain Monck," she said, "you have made a mistake. You have done nothing that is past forgiveness. You must take my word for that, for just now you are ill and not in a fit state to judge for yourself. Now please give me that thing, and let me do what I can to help you!" Practical and matter-of-fact were her words. She marvelled at herself even as she stooped and laid a steady hand upon the weapon he held. Her action was purposeful, and he relinquished it. The misery in his eyes gave place to a dumb curiosity. "Now," Stella said, "get to bed, and I will bring you some of Tommy's quinine." She turned from him, revolver in hand, but paused and in a moment turned back. "Captain Monck, you heard what I said, didn't you? You will go straight to bed?" Her voice held a hint of pleading, despite its insistence. He straightened himself in his chair. He was still looking at her with an odd wonder in his eyes--wonder that was mixed with a very unusual touch of reverence. "I will do--whatever you wish," he said. "Thank you," said Stella. "Then please let me find you in bed when I come back!" She turned once more to go, went to the door and opened it. From the threshold she glanced back. He was on his feet, gazing after her with the eyes of a man in a trance. She lifted her hand. "Now remember!" she said, and with that passed quietly out, closing the door behind her. Her brain was in a seething turmoil and her heart was leaping within her like a wild thing suddenly caged. But, very strangely, all fear had departed from her. Only a brief interval before, she had found herself wishing that the decision of her life's destiny had not rested entirely with herself. It seemed to her that a great revelation had been vouchsafed between the amazing present and those past moments of troubled meditation. And she knew now that it did not. CHAPTER VII SERVICE RENDERED The news that Monck was down with the fever brought both the Colonel and Major Ralston early to the bungalow on the following morning. They found Stella and the ever-faithful Peter in charge of both patients. Tommy was better though weak. Monck was in a high fever and delirious.