'Hush, hush, dear,' said Mrs. Hardy. 'We must help him on to his bed.
Come!'

Each took an arm of the sick man and raised him to his feet. He offered
no resistance, but allowed them to lead him to the bunk in the other room
and place him upon it, although he continued to utter wild threats
against Joe Rogers and to chummer about the gold, and move his hands
about, scratching amongst the bedclothes.

Mrs. Hardy brought the light from the kitchen, and busied herself over
the delirious man, making him as comfortable as possible upon his narrow
bed. She gave directions to Chris and the girl obeyed them, bringing
necessary things and making a fire in the kitchen. She seemed inspired
with a new hope, and presently she moved to Mrs. Hardy's side again.

'Do you think he will die?' she asked.

'I do not think so, dear. It is brain fever, I believe.'

'How good you are--you whom he has wronged so cruelly!

She ceased speaking and gripped her companion's arm. The latch of the
back door clicked, a step sounded upon the kitchen floor, and the next
moment Detective Downy appeared within the room. He glanced from the
women to the bunk, and then strode forward and laid a hand upon Ephraim
Shine.

'This man is my prisoner,' he said.

Shine sat up again, moving his arms and muttering: