New Britain herald., 1924-03-10
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY

Why do you stay?" she asked him
 at length in a dull voice. Go
 go your ways, sir. and leave me to
 die. IL is, I think. all that remains 10 do. And -and I think that
 shall die the easier without your
 company ...
 He stepped back as if she had
 struck him. He made as if to an-
 swer her; then his parted lips came
 together again. his chin sank until it | touched his breast. He turned, and | with dra gging, feet walked slowly out
 of the room. softly closing the door.
 She lay there. invaded suddenly by
 q great fear. She strained her ears
 to catch the sound of his footsteps in
 the passage. until finally the slam
 ming Of the door leading to the street
 announced to her that, taking her at
 her word. he was gone. indeed.
 And now she flung herself prone
 upon the daybed, and sobbed aloud
 until the soaring pain in her breast
 conquered even her self-pity, and
 stretched her writhing in agony as if
 upon rack. At last merciful un- consciousness supervencd.
 And meanwhile Holes was moving
 mechanically and instinctirely n: speed up Sermon Lane in the direc. ton Of Paurs.
 Without hat or cloak. his empty | scabhard dangling like linn tail about his legs, he sped onward, man half-distracted, with but n vague notion of his object and none of the direction in which its fultillment would be lileliest. As he was ap- preaching Carter Lane. lantern came dancing like will-o' the -wisp round the corner to meet him, and presently the dark outline Of the man who carried it grew visible. This | man walked with the assistance of a i staff which at closer quarters the | lanterns rays revealed to be rcd in | color. With a gasp of relief. Hoilcs ! flung forward toward him.
 Keep your distance. sir. Keep | your distance." a voice warned him | on, of the gloom. "'Warn infection"
 But Holles went rccklessly on un- til the long wand was raised and pointed toward him to arrest his ad- vance.
 Are you mad. sir?" the man cried sharply. Holes could make out now the pallid outline Of his face. which the broad brim Of his steeple-hat had hitherto kept almost entirely in shadow. "I am examiner of infected houses"
 "Tt is as hoped" panted Holes , that yours might be some such ohice' need doctor, man, quick ", Tor one who is taken with the plague"
 The examiners manner became brisk at once.
 'A nere?" he demanded.
 Close at hand here, in Knight Ryder Street.
 Why, then, Dr. I;eamisll. there at the corner, is your man. Conc"
 And thus it happened that. from the sleep which had succeeded the swoon that so mercifully whclmcd her senses, Nancy was aroused by sound of steps and voices. Where she lay she faced the door Of the room. And. as through pillows of mist that new rolled before her eyes. she saw the tall figure of Colonel Holes enter followed by two , strangers. one Of these was q lItfIc blrdlike man Of middle age: the other I was young and of broad frame and a run countenance. Both were , dressed in black, and zach carried g Lhe rod wand which the law pre- a scribcd.
 The younger man. who was the | examiner met by Holes in Sermon .ane. came no farther than tho 1reshold. He was holding close to his nostrils cloth that gave ont fl I Ninegary smell. and his Ia avs worked vigorously the while. for f ie was chewing a stick Of snake 'oot as further measure O. pr,.rcp a Ion. Meanwhile. his companion. l, Fho was that same Dr. Beanish he [, lad recommended, approached the Q 'atient and made swift. prac. iced. -- ind silent examination, Iii
 The physician held her wrist for a h moment in his bong fingers. the mid- ti He one upon her pulse. Next be Q arefully examined the blotcb unou x Ter throat. Finally hc raised first if mt or her arms and then the of her. h whilst HolIes at his bidding held the E. andlc-branch go as fo cast tho light l. nto the armpit. < erunt cscarcd jim upon the discovery Of fl swelling tl n the right one. Il
 This is unusually aoon." he said. | tt is seldom before tho third day si hat there is such manifestation. iIl Al his elbow Hoiies spoke in II oneless voice: f,
 Docs it does 1t mean that ci fer case is beyond hope?" io The physician look I at him. In
 Dunn vivimus. speremus," said he. Her case need not be hopeless any nore than another's. Much depends pon the energy with which the Isease is fought" ss He saw the flash of Holes eyes af z, hat, as through the ColoneI's mind ped the VOW that if it was a matter f fight he was there to wage fl.
 Much depends upon that. Dut di Iore-indeed all-upon God, my fl riends." He spoke to HoIIes as to tf Usband for that. indeed. was the in which fr conceived i'm to stand 10 tho afflicted lady. ..IfI ion of that swelling can lyt U 1ducrd. recotcry is possible. More es