"He has one staunch friend, anyhow," Sir Reginald muttered to the Colonel.
"Yes," the Colonel answered gravely. "He has done a good deal for young Denvers. It's the boy's turn to make good now. There isn't much left him besides."
"Poor devil!" said Sir Reginald.
CHAPTER II
OUT OF THE DARKNESS
"You said Everard was coming. Why doesn't he come? It's very dark—it's very dark! Can he have missed the way?"
Feebly, haltingly, the words seemed to wander through the room, breaking a great silence as it were with immense effort. Mrs. Ralston bent over the bed and whispered hushingly that it was all right, all right, Everard would be there soon.
"But why does he take so long?" murmured Stella. "It's getting darker every minute. And it's so steep. I keep slipping—slipping. I know he would hold me up." And then after a moment, "Oh, Mary, am I dying? I believe I am. But—he—wouldn't let me die."