With the first dawn Desmond awoke, and there was an awful interval of pain.

But a fresh morphia injection eased it, and Aubrey presently saw a smile--a look of the old Desmond.

The nurse washed the boy's hands and face, brought him a cup of tea, took pulse and temperature.
'He's no worse,' she said in a whisper to Aubrey, as she passed him.
Aubrey went up to the bed.
'Aubrey, old chap!' said the boy, and smiled at him.

Then--'It's daylight.

Can't I look out ?' The nurse and Mannering wheeled his bed to the window, which opened to the ground.