"No, no, Arthur! Not that!"
"Phil! You?" Latimer sprang from his chair. "Why—why——"
Danvers was shocked at the haggard face.
"I ran up from Fort Benton, Arthur, just to see you. I've been looking for you all the afternoon." He gently pushed the trembling man back into his chair.
"Why—why did you stop me? It would have been over—now—if——"
"Life is not so bad as that, old friend."
"Isn't it?" bitterly. "If you——"
"I can understand—I know. But you must promise me that you will not attempt this—again." Danvers spoke firmly, feeling that he could never leave his friend if he were not given a pledge.
The broken man looked into the kind eyes opposite. "You think me a coward, don't you? I promise."
"No," refuted Danvers, warmly. "You are worn out, mentally and physically; that is all. Take a run to the coast with me for a month or two——"