Guy blundered to his feet with shuddering effort.
"Now--fire me out!" he said.
But Burke only guided him to the bed.

"Sit down!" he said.
Numbly he obeyed.

He seemed incapable of doing otherwise.

But when, still with that unwavering steadiness of purpose, Burke stooped and began to unfasten the straps of his gaiters, he suddenly cried out as if he had been struck unawares in a vital place.
"No--no--no! I'm damned--I'm damned if you shall! Burke--stop, do you hear?
Burke!" "Be quiet!" Burke said.
But Guy flung himself forward, preventing him.

They looked into one another's eyes for a tense interval, then, as the blood began to trickle down his chin again, Burke released himself.
In the same moment, Guy covered his face and burst into agonized sobbing most terrible to hear.
Burke stood up again.