“Drink this, my lad,” said the doctor sternly; “it is for your good.”
The young man caught the glass from his friend’s hand, tossed down the contents, shuddered, and then drew a deep breath, pulling himself together directly.
“I’m better now,” he said. “It has all been such a shock, and I’ve been travelling night and day.”
“Where from?” said the doctor, so as to give the young fellow time for the medicine to produce its effect.
“Berlin,” was the reply.
“Berlin? That accounts for it. I was wondering why you had not been here. I thought you were in Paris about some mineral business.”
“I was there, but I heard some news about—about poor Hal.”
“Indeed?” said the professor, growing excited now.
“Yes, it was from a gentleman who had escaped out of Khartoum.”
“Go on, my lad; go on,” said Morris.