"Is Dr North here?" "What do you want with Dr North?" cried Joe surlily. "I am a medical man, my lad," said the old gentleman, smiling. "I have come down from London to see him." "Yes, I thought you had," said Joe; "and you can't see him, so you may just go back, as the t'others have done before. Eh? Oh, I beg pardon, sir. I thought it was the wrong sort." For Salis, hearing the altercation, had hurried out, and a brief explanation had set all straight. "Poor fellow, poor fellow!" said the doctor, after following Salis into his room and hearing an explanation of the case. "Overwrought, I suppose. Well, let's see him." They went to the darkened drawing-room to pause at the door, the doctor making a sign to Salis to stay while he watched the patient, who was ignorant of his presence. North was lying back on the sofa with his eyes nearly closed, and Mary seated near, holding his hand, and bent towards him as if listening to his breathing. Suddenly he started--crying out wildly as his eyes opened with a dilated stare; but as he tried to rise, Mary's soft white hand was laid upon his forehead, and he sank back with a sigh of restfulness; his eyes closed again, and he lay breathing calmly. Salis looked at Mr Delton, but the old man did not stir. Here was the case developing itself before him, and he could not study it better than unobserved. Salis was about to re-enter the room, when Dally came and summoned him by pulling his sleeve. "What is it?" he said sharply, as he turned. "Mrs Milt, to see you, sir." Salis hesitated. "I will wait till you return," whispered the old doctor. "I am well employed." Salis hurried to where the old housekeeper was waiting. "I've just heard that master is here, sir," cried the old woman excitedly. "Oh, I am thankful! I found these papers in the study, sir; they were in an envelope directed to me, sir, and this one for the doctor master knows in London." Salis uttered a cry of joy. "Mr Delton is with your master," he said. Mrs Milt sighed. "Let me go to him, sir, please." Salis signed to her to follow, and led the way to where North lay now as if asleep, with Mary's hand held to his brow. The old housekeeper stood for a few moments watching, and then drew back. "No, sir," she said; "I won't disturb him. I haven't seen him look like that for weeks." "And I will not disturb him," said the old doctor. "Rest like that must be good." He followed Salis into the dining-room, where he sat down to read the communication North had written, and after studying it carefully for some time, he looked up to find the curate's eyes fixed upon him intently. "Well?" "Well, Mr Salis, I think I can say a comforting word or two. By the way, I thought I would come on straight to you instead of calling first at the Manor House, and it is as well I did." "But the letter, sir--the letter from my poor friend?" "Ah, yes, the letter," said the old doctor dreamily. "I have read and studied it well."