head portentously. "That man in there," he whispered, nodding
toward the bedroom, "is in no condition to go through this.
After that shock this morning, and last night -- it'll kill him.
His heart's rotten, I tell you, rotten!"

Garrett snarled contemptuously.

"How do you know?" he demanded.

"How do I know?" returned Rainey, fiercely. "I was four years in
a medical college, when you were in jail, you -- " "Stop that!"
cried Gaylor. Glancing fearfully toward the open door, he
interposed between them.

"Don't take my advice, then," cried Rainey. "Go on! Kill him!
And he won't sign your will. Only, don't say I didn't tell you."

"Have you told him?" demanded Gaylor.

"Yes," Rainey answered stoutly. "Told him if he didn't stop
this, he wouldn't live till morning."

"Are we forcing him to do this?" demanded Gaylor. "No! He's
forcing it on us. My God!" he exclaimed, "do you think I want
this farce? You say, yourself, you told him it would kill him,
and he will go on with it. Then why do you blame us? Can we help
ourselves?"

The butler had distinguished the sounds of footsteps in the
hall. He fell hastily to rearranging the camp chairs.