"It reminds me of Arkwright. That was an accident, too."
"Don't stand there, man--dreaming! Do something!"
Gordon laughed at the words--a low, happy laugh, which struck a new horror into Hawke.
"You meant to do it?"
Gordon nodded to him, knowingly.
"Damn you!" Hawke hissed and sunk down upon the platform beside the lanthorn, concentrating all his strength into the oath. He was still vainly endeavouring to stop the bursts from the vein by the pressure of his fingers.
Gordon knelt by his side.
"Let me look," he said.
Hawke dragged himself a few inches farther away, with an inarticulate snarl, and turned his back.
"Won't you let me help you?" Gordon asked, in a tone of gentle remonstrance.