Evening star., 1914-12-27
CHAPTER XVI

earnest whispers with DR.. Brownr1gg. nurse he had
brought with him sat by the bedside. The man lying
there seemed to have turned his face to the wall He
was either still unconscious he slept. There
no sound in the room the faint of voices
as the two physicians talked together. Jermyn
slowly toward them. They moved little apart at
his entrance.
There is no chance?" Jermyn asked.
@None," DR.. Brownrigg replied. physically there
will be none until the end
"He must die them"
@He must certainly dle
"Has he spoken to anyone?"
The two doctors exchanged glances 1t DR..
Brownrigg who answered.
"He has spoken to no one, Sir Jermyn he said.
@Mss Culey has been here, begging to be allowed to
sit by the bedside; but the inspector exacted prom
ise from me that if he refrained from putting
in the room 1 would allow one to enter it
myself and the necessary attendants 1 hope you
will explain to Miss Cluley, Sir Jermyn, that 1
compelled to keep my word
II quite understand Jermyn replied, "and am
sure Miss Cluley will. Naturally she feels the shock
very much. She told that she hoped to be al
lowed to see him before the end
The doctor bowed @The young lady in great
distress" he said, "and it was very painful for me to
have to refuse her request. In the circumstances,
however, there was alternative"
II am sure she will understand Jernyn declared.
aThere is nothing more, 1 suppose he added, with
a hesitating glance toward the bed, @that be
done?"
Nothing" the surgeon answered ave have eased
his pain-we could do no more. He may live for
few hours; but he will grow weaker all the time.
@No longer than that?" Jernyn murmured.
"No longer than that" the surgeon reiterated
A SLIGHT sound came from the bed. Jermyn
turned his head. The who lay there had
opened his eyes and watching. The nurse was
bending over him.
II think she said, turning round, shat he wants
to speak to you Sir
Termvn made his way slowly to the bedside. His
heart was humping They all listening. Per-
haps this foolish thing that he had done! The
man who lay there pitifully changed He had
been coarse burly red-faced giant few hours ago
Now he seemed to have shrunken His cheeks had
fallen in his ewes under his hairy eyebrows seemed to
have become almost fixed in CLASSY stare. His
voice. loud and stentoran the voice that Jermyn had
hated, was almost Whisper yet even as whisper
it seemed to preserve its dlscordant effect
@Tm done, Jermyn!
"Not bit of it." Jermyn declared with hastily
assumed cheerfulness Nothing is certain
days A specialist is on his way here. We are hop
ing that he will be able to do something for you.
Al tell YOU I'm done!' the man on the bed repeated
almost sulenly II know. Men always know when
they're dying"
1--WE don't believe it," Jermyn asserted. 3still, if
there is anyone you would wish to see"
@Not a soul Lakenham muttered. "There's no
who'll care damn, there's no one care-a damn
about! 1 used-to think you fool, Jermyn-to
keep the women at arms length. l believe-you' re
right. They're devils'
Termyn looked half wildly round. The doctors were
both standing within earshot. What the about
to say? Don't talk if it dstresses you" Jermyn
begged @There will be chance for you if you
lie still"
Lakenham opened his lips and closed them again.
The nurse bent over him and wiped his forehead. Jer
He to
corner of the ROOM She obeyed him with significant
glance toward the doctor.