one who was constantly in her mind. When the captain and the doctor
were again back in the kitchen discussing the stranger, she stole to
his side, and looked intently upon his face. She held the light close,
and as she did so she trembled so violently that she almost let the
lamp fall from her hand. Recovering herself, she went immediately to
her husband's side and touched his shoulder.

"It's Jimmy!" she cried, clasping her hands before her. "It's our own
boy!"

With a startled exclamation, the captain sprang to his feet, and looked
questioningly at his wife.

"Jimmy, did you say? In there?"

"Yes, I am sure of it. Come, see for yourself," and Mrs. Britt led her
half-dazed husband into the little bed-room.

The doctor remained behind in the kitchen. His thoughts, however, were
not upon his pipe, which was sending wreaths of blue smoke into the
air. He was thinking of far deeper things. His brief career as a
medical man had already brought him into close touch with many strange
circumstances. He liked to ponder them over very carefully. But this
was altogether different, and as he sat there, he endeavoured to
imagine the life of the son who had gone from home years before, and
had returned in such a sad condition.

He was aroused by the captain's hand laid heavily upon his shoulder.

"It's him, doc! My God, it's Jimmy!" It was all the old man could