her, and so did her mother. He tossed for a long time upon his pillow,
and when he did at last fall into a fitful slumber, he dreamed of Whyn,
and the money the scouts had earned. They seemed to be mixed up in some
funny way. He saw the girl holding out her hands to the scouts while
they were counting over a large roll of crisp bills.

He could not get clear of this dream when he awoke in the morning, and he
thought much of it during breakfast. Both Mr. and Mrs. Royal had noticed
something unusual about Rod's manner. At first they thought that he was
not well, and they watched him carefully as they now sat at the table.
They were naturally proud of the part he had taken in the capturing of
the river-thieves, as well as the way he was developing into such a
strong manly boy.

"I saw Doctor Travis last night," the clergyman at length began. "He and
Doctor Sturgis from the city held a consultation over Whyn yesterday
afternoon. I am afraid that her case is very serious."

"I expected as much," Mrs. Royal replied, with a deep sigh. "The poor
girl has been failing rapidly of late, so I understand."

Rod laid down the knife with which he was spreading his bread, and fixed
his eyes full upon the clergyman's face. His heart beat fast, and he was
very pale.

"She has one chance, however, so the doctor said," the parson continued,
"but I fear that is almost out of the question."

"And what is that?" Mrs. Royal enquired, as her husband paused, and began
to toy thoughtfully with his napkin-ring.