"That pays for this cut and more, if necessary," he said, in a low
voice, as he walked at her side up the steps.

"Lean on me, Phil," she said. "You must be faint." He laughed
merrily, and his eyes sparkled with something not akin to pain.

Dr. Berier came and closed the gash in his shoulder. An hour later
he came downstairs, to find Mrs. Garrison and Dorothy alone.

"You were very brave, Mr. Quentin, but very foolhardy," said Mrs.
Garrison. "I hope from my heart the wound will give you little
trouble."

His good right hand closed over hers for an instant and then clasped
Dorothy's warmly, lingeringly.

"You must let us hear from you to-morrow," said she, softly.

"Expect me to fetch the message in person," said he, and he was off
down the steps. He did not look back, or he might have seen her
standing on the veranda, her eyes following him till he was joined
by another man at the corner below.






XII