"Jim, you devil, say good-night to a man," said Geoffrey, and pleasure and pride made the groom laugh outright.
"But you won't tell Harry to-night?" said Geoffrey, after a moment. "Hush! What's that?—My God, Harry!"
The gleam of a candle shone through the door leading to the staircase, and Harry advanced two steps into the hall.
"I woke just now," he said, speaking to the doctor, "and—Geoffrey!"
"Call Jim back," said the doctor.—"Steady, Harry. Not a word!"
Geoffrey gathered his blankets round him and went to the hall door, which the groom had just closed behind him. He came back at once in answer to the call.
"But what is it? What is it all?" cried Harry. "Where is my uncle? I woke, as I began to tell you, and thought I heard people moving about, and got uneasy. I thought he might be worse, or something. Then I went through into your room, Dr. Armytage, but you were not there. His door, too, was open, and there was a light burning, but he was not there. Where is he? What is it?" he cried again. "Geoffrey—Jim—what are you doing here?"
He looked from one to the other bewildered, but for a moment none could speak.
"Oh, for the love of God, tell me!" he cried again.
Jim's right hand went to his head in salutation.