There had been such a huge sick list that summer that they were reduced to less than half their normal strength.
"You're worth a good many," he said to Merryon, half-grudgingly, "but you can't work miracles.

Besides, you've got--" He broke off abruptly.
"How's your wife ?" "That's what I don't know, sir." Feverishly Merryon made answer.

"I left her last night.
She was well then.

But since--I sent down an orderly over an hour ago.
He's not come back." "Confound it!" said the colonel, testily.

"You'd better go yourself." Merryon glanced swiftly round.
"Yes, go, go!" the colonel reiterated, irritably.