This figure appeared in the doorway, stood looking at them a moment, as if bewildered as to why he or they were there at all; and then, with a hasty shuffling movement, darted across the floor and down on his knees.
The following colloquy was held as soon as the last roll of defiled bandage had dropped to the floor, and Frank's foot was disclosed.
"How long's this been going on ?" asked the doctor sharply, holding the discolored thing carefully in his two hands.
"Well, sir," said the Major reflectively, "he began to limp about--let's see--four days ago.

We were coming through--" The doctor, watching Frank's face curiously (the spasm was over for the present), cut the Major short by a question to the patient.
"Now, my boy, how d'you feel now ?" Frank's lips moved; he seemed to be trying to lick them; but he said nothing, and his eyes closed, and he grinned once or twice, as if sardonically.
"When did these spasms begin ?" went on the doctor, abruptly turning to the Major again.
"Well, sir--if you mean that jerking--Frankie began to jerk about half an hour ago when we were sitting down a bit; but he's seemed queer since breakfast.

And he didn't seem to be able to eat properly." "How do you mean?
D'you mean he couldn't open his mouth ?" "Well, sir, it was something like that." The doctor began to make comments in a rapid undertone, as if talking to himself; he pressed his hand once or twice against Frank's stomach; he took up the filthy bandage and examined it.

Then he looked at the boot.
"Where's the sock ?" he asked sharply.
Gertie produced it from a bundle.

He looked at it closely, and began to mumble again.