"Gus says he asked for me."
"I don't care. You shall not see the poor man."
"Excuse me, madam, but I will," I replied, and brushed past her and on to the door of my uncle's room.
She caught me by the arm.
"You just march downstairs!" she cried.
"Is that Luke?" came a feeble voice from within.
"Yes, Uncle Felix," I hastened to reply.
"Let him come in, dear; I must see him."
With a very bad grace Mrs. Stillwell allowed me to enter. At first she was about to follow, but her husband motioned her away, and she was forced to withdraw.
My uncle lay on the bed. His face was deadly white and awfully haggard. He held out his hand.