I came the moment that I got your message." "I am glad that you are here," the sufferer continued with a sigh of relief.

From the brightened expression upon his pinched face, it seemed as if, even now in the jaws of death, he leaned upon his old schoolfellow and looked to him for assistance.

He put a wasted hand above the counterpane and laid it upon Girdlestone's.
"I wish to speak to you, John," he said.

"I am very weak.

Can you hear what I say ?" "Yes, I hear you." "Give me a spoonful from that bottle.