"They say," she went on, with a decisiveness which was probably an
accentuation of her usual attitude, inspired by the necessity of
sparing the patient the exertion of an explanation or an apology--
"they say, however, that you are not naturally a very strong man,
and that you have tried your constitution in the past, so that
greater care is required than would otherwise be necessary in such a
case."

She looked at the brown face and sinewy neck, the hollow cheeks, the
lean hands ("all wires," as she decided in her own prompt mind), and
her clear eyes were alight with a speculation as to what the past
had been in which this man had tried his constitution.

"I have led a rough life," explained Whittaker; and Miss Cheyne
nodded her head in a manner indicative of the fact that she divined
as much.

"I thought you were a Spaniard," she said.

"No; I have lived in the Spanish colonies, however--the last few
years--since the troubles began."

Miss Cheyne nodded again without surprise. She had gone about the
world, with those clear eyes of hers very wide open, and was
probably aware that in those parts where, as Whittaker gracefully
put it, "troubles" are, such men as this are usually to be found.
For it is not the large men who make a stir in the world. These
usually sit at home and love a life of ease. It is even said that
they take to novel-writing and other sedentary occupations. And in