Just say the date of the night it happened.' Sturk uttered a deep groan.
'Am I dying ?' said he.
'No, Sir, please goodness--far from it,' said Toole.
'Fracture ?' asked Sturk, faintly.
'Why--yes--something of the sort--indeed--altogether a fracture; but going on mighty well, Sir.' 'Stabbed anywhere--or gunshot wound ?' demanded Sturk.
'Nothing of the kind, Sir, upon my honour.' 'You think--I have a chance ?' and Sturk's cadaverous face was moist with the dews of an awful suspense.
'Chance,' said Toole, in an encouraging tone, 'well, I suppose you have, Sir--ha, ha! But, you know, you must not tire yourself, and we hope to have you on your legs again, Sir, in a reasonable time.' 'I'm very bad--the sight's affected,' groaned Sturk.
'See, Sir, you tire yourself to no purpose.

You're in good hands, Sir--and all will go well--as we expect--Pell has been with you twice--' 'H'm! Pell--that's good.' 'And you're going on mighty well, Sir, especially to-night.' 'Doctor, upon your honour, have I a chance ?' 'You have, Sir,--certainly--yes--upon my honour.' 'Thank God!' groaned Sturk, turning up the whites of his eyes, and lifting up two very shaky hands.
'But you must not spoil it--and fatigue will do that for you,' remarked Toole.
'But, Sir, Sir--I beg pardon, Doctor Toole--but this case is not quite a common one.

What Doctor Sturk is about to say may acquire an additional legal value by his understanding precisely the degree of danger in which he lies.

Now, Doctor Sturk, you must not be over much disturbed,' said Lowe.
'No, Sir--don't fear me--I'm not much disturbed,' said Sturk.
'Well, Doctor Toole,' continued Lowe, 'we must depart a little here from regular medical routine--tell Doctor Sturk plainly all you think.' 'Why--a'-- and Doctor Toole cleared his voice, and hesitated.
'Tell him what you and Doctor Dillon think, Sir.

Why, Doctor Dillon spoke very plainly to me.' 'I don't like his pulse, Sir.