The car came to a standstill. "Do you mind getting out first?" said
Monck.

She got out with a dazed sense of unreality. He followed her
immediately; his hand, hard and muscular, grasped her arm. He led her up
the wooden steps all shining and slippery in the rain.

In the shelter of the verandah he stopped. "Wait here a moment!" he
said.

But Stella turned swiftly, detaining him. "No, no!" she said. "I am
coming with you. I would rather know at once."

He shrugged his shoulders without remonstrance, and stood back for her
to precede him. Later it seemed to her that it was the most merciful
thing he could have done. At the time she did not pause to thank him,
but went swiftly past, taking her way straight along the verandah to
Tommy's room.

The window was open, and a bar of light stretched therefrom like a fiery
sword into the streaming rain. Just for a second that gleaming shaft
daunted her. Something within her shrank affrighted. Then, aware of
Monck immediately behind her, she conquered her dread and entered. She
saw that the bar of light came from a hooded lamp which was turned
towards the window, leaving the bed in shadow. Over the latter a man was
bending. He straightened himself sharply at her approach, and she
recognized Major Ralston.

And then she had reached the bed, and all the love in her heart pulsed
forth in yearning tenderness as she stooped. "Tommy!" she said. "My