Whereat Noel's hand came out gropingly, with a certain diffidence. "Oh, man," he said, "I haven't dared to think of that!"
Max grasped the hand. "I'll do my best for you, old chap," he said. "But you'll need a thundering lot of patience."
"I've been cultivating that," said Noel. "The only thing I can't stand is not to know the truth."
"I shan't keep you in the dark," said Max. "It's not my way."
He was as good as his word. A few hours later he made his first examination of the injury, and curtly gave it as his opinion that it was not beyond remedy.
"I don't profess to be infallible," he said. "But there certainly seems to be just a chance that the sight has not been absolutely destroyed. I'm afraid you'll have a good deal to go through if it is to be restored, though. It will be a tough job for all concerned."
"Oh, I'm not afraid of that," said Noel sturdily. "I've the very best of reasons for sticking to it."
"Ah!" said Max, with his twisted smile. "I haven't congratulated you yet."
Noel turned with a quick movement. "I say, Max," he said, with a touch of embarrassment, "you weren't quite straight with me over that, were you?"
"I don't know what you mean," said Max in a voice that was utterly devoid of expression.