"What the devil is one to believe?" the doctor exclaimed irritably. "The man is sound, but he is dying. If I told you that I understood his symptoms, I should be a liar. I can think only of one thing. You yourself gave me the idea."
"Wire by all means," I said.
"I shall go to the village," Rust said, "and return immediately. Don't let him be left alone. He has a draught to take in case of necessity."
I turned back to the house with a sigh. I am afraid that I had as little faith in medicine as Guest himself.
CHAPTER XIV
GATHERING JACKALS
Guest for the remainder of the morning seemed to have fallen into a sort of stupor. He declined to sit in the garden or come down to lunch. When I went up to his room, he was lying upon a couch, half undressed, and with a dressing-gown wrapped around him. He opened his eyes when I came in, but waved me away.
"I am thinking," he said. "Don't interrupt me; I want to be alone for an hour or so."
"But you must have something to eat," I insisted. "You will lose your strength if you don't."
"Quite right," he admitted. "Send me up some soup, and let me have pencil and paper."