The great man came, grumbling and grousing. What did he--who loved to describe his surgery as carpentry, and himself as a mechanic--know of Indian fevers? Madame took him herself to the Captain's room. Ruth brought a jug of hot water. "You must just stop in bed till it's burned itself out," said the Doctor, wiping his hands and coughing. The sick man cursed. "You won't want a nurse," said Madame. "Ruth'll do everything you want." Mr. Trupp looked up and for the first time noticed the girl by the wash-stand. He seemed put out and glanced at Madame. "I didn't know you were on this floor, Ruth," he said, and added to the Captain--"Ruth nursed a patient of mine for two years in this very Hotel, didn't you, Ruth? She can take a temperature, feel a pulse, and keep a chart with the best of em, and you'll be all right in a day or two." Ruth, who loved Mr. Trupp, as she loved no one else on earth, blushed and smiled. "That's settled then," said the Captain from his bed. Outside in the corridor Mr. Trupp, busy winding his comforter about his neck, saw Ernie and shook hands with him. "Well, Ernie," he said gruffly. "I forgot you were here. How _you_ getting on?" "Nicely, thank you, sir," answered Ernie, forgetful for the moment of all his trouble. "Nothing much amiss with the Captain, I hope, sir?" "D'you know him?" asked Mr. Trupp. "Why, sir!" cried Ernie, aggrieved. "He was our adjutant. And a fine officer too. Mr. George'll tell you all about him, though they was in different Battalions. He's well be-known all over India because of his cricket." "O, he's a Hammer-man too, is he?" said Mr. Trupp, interested. "Quite a collection of you here. D'you know Colonel Lewknor?" "Know him, sir!" cried Ernie. "The Colonel!--The best officer and nicest gentleman we had. Is he down here?" "Yes, he's taking a house in Holywell, I believe.... Take my bag down to the car, will you?--You'll find Alf outside. I must just wait and speak to the Manageress." Ernie willingly obeyed. Outside was the familiar chocolate-coloured car; and a little way off was Alf standing in the grass exchanging confidences with some one in the boothole in the basement. He saw Ernie and broke off his conversation at once to come lurching towards his brother, licking his lips, and on his colourless face the familiar leer. "Say, Ern!" he began confidentially. Ernie, paying no heed, opened the door of the car, and put the bag inside. "That was a pretty pick-up you got hold of top of the bus that time," Alf continued quietly. Ern faced his brother. "What's this then?" he asked, rather white. "That tart top o the bus that night." Ernie was breathing deep as he shut the door of the car elaborately. "I thought you was a churchman then," he said. "Took the sacraments, marched in processions and carried the bag, from what I hear of it." Alf looked round warily. Then he came boring in upon the other, as though determined to penetrate his secret.