He was evidently sick and faint, but to restore his garments was for the moment the dominant idea. Then another thought came, and he looked wildly round, hardly appearing to grasp the fact that friend and visitors had drawn back from him, while the former slowly uncocked the revolver and carefully extracted the cartridges, noting that four were filled, and two empty. Guest knew the billet of one of the bullets, and he involuntarily looked round for the other. He had not far to seek. The shade covering the wired and mounted bones of an ancient extinct bird standing on a cabinet was shattered, and the bullet had cut through the neck vertebrae, and then buried itself in the oaken panelling. Guest lowered his eyes to his task again, and slowly placed the cartridges in one pocket, the pistol in the other, when, raising his eyes, he met the admiral's shadowed by the heavy brows; and the old officer gave him a nod of approval. "Well, Rebecca," he said, in a deep voice which seemed to hold the dying mutterings of the storm which had raged in his breast but a short time before; "we may go. I can't jump on a fallen man." "Yes," said Miss Jerrold, with a look of sadness and sympathy at Stratton, who stood supporting himself against the table; "we had better go. O Malcolm Stratton," she cried passionately, "and I did so believe in you." He raised his face, with a momentary flush of pleasure bringing back something of its former aspect. But the gloom of despair came down like a cloud over a gleam of sunshine, and his chin fell upon his chest, though a movement now and then told that he was listening bitterly to every word. "Yes," said Sir Mark; "it's as well you did not get in the police. Keep it all quiet for everyone's sake. The doctor must know, though." Stratton's face was a little raised at this, and he turned slightly as Guest said: "Of course. It is not a dangerous wound, but look at him." Stratton's chin fell again upon his breast. "In a few hours," continued the admiral, "fever will probably set in." A low, catching breath shook Stratton, and one hand grasped the table edge violently. "And he will be delirious." Stratton strove hard to contain himself, but he started violently, and raising his face he passed his right-hand across his dripping brow. "I cannot stop here, Guest," said Sir Mark. "Come, Rebecca, my dear. You must not leave him alone. Shall I send in a medical man?" "No!" cried Stratton hoarsely, in so fierce a voice that all started, and the admiral shrugged his shoulders, and drawing himself up crossed to the door, his sister following him with her face full of perplexity and commiseration.