"'Tis well I met you, uncle," he said. "Young Humphrey's just ridden over to you with a message from mother. Then he came on to me. There's terrible trouble at home--father, I mean. You know what he is for doing heavy work--work beyond his years, of course. He was shifting grain from the loft, and they found him fallen and insensible with a sack on top of him. I hope to God it ban't very bad. Mother sent off for me, for fear it might be a fatal thing. And Humphrey says my name was on father's lips when they laid him to bed after doctor had gone. He said, 'This be Rupert's fault. I be driven to this heavy work along of him leaving me, and now he's killed me.' I'm sure I hope he'll call that back, for 'tis a terrible thing for me to live under if he died." "I'll come along with you," said Mr. Baskerville; "and as to what your father may have spoken in his anger at being stricken down, pay no heed to it. He's like a silly boy over these feats of strength, and he'd have shifted the sacks just the same if you'd been there. The thing he said isn't true, and there's an end on it. He'll be sorry he uttered the word when he's better." They hurried forward and presently stood at the door of Cadworthy. "You'd best knock afore you enter," said the elder. "We're both in disgrace here, and come as strangers. I had a difference with your father last time we met. Ned Baskerville is tokened to that woman that killed Mark. I could not hear and keep dumb. I cursed my brother in my rage, and I owe him an apology." Rupert knocked at the door, and his sister May answered it. Her eyelids were red with tears and her manner agitated. "How's your father?" asked Humphrey. "Very bad, uncle. 'Tis a great doubt if he'll get better, doctor says." "Then be sure he will. I've come to see him." Mrs. Baskerville appeared behind May. She was very pale, but appeared collected. "I'm sorry--terrible sorry," she said. "I've told dear master that I'd sent for Rupert and for you, Humphrey, but he won't see neither of you. 'Tis no good arguing about it in his state; but I pray God he'll change his mind to-morrow." Rupert kissed his mother. "Bear up," he said. "With his strength and great courage he'll weather it, please God. You know where I am--not five mile away. I'll come running the moment he'll see me." "And ask him to forgive his brother. I'm sorry I said the things I did," declared Humphrey Baskerville. A pony cart drove up at this moment and Eliza Gollop alighted from it. She carried a large brown-paper parcel, and a corded box was lifted out after her. "I've come," she said. "Doctor left a message for me as he went back along, and I was ready as usual. How's the poor man going on? I'm afraid you must not be very hopeful--so doctor said on his way back; but where there's life and me there's always hope, as my brother Thomas will have it."