I came over to his side.
"What does it mean?" I asked quietly.
"Death, very likely," he answered. "Danger always. No more sport, no more living in the easy places. But in the end glory—and afterwards peace. A man can die but once, Courage!"
"I am not afraid," I answered slowly. "But am I the man, do you think, for a task like this?"
"None better," he answered. "Listen, where do you sleep?"
"In the next room to yours," I answered.
"Good! Will you leave your door open, so that if I call in the night you may hear?"
"Certainly! You can have a servant sleep on the couch in your room, if you like."
He shook his head.
"I would rather not," he answered. "Just now I cannot talk any more. If my time comes in the night, I shall wake you. If not—to-morrow!"