Chapter Thirty Seven.
The Turning-Point.
“There is a messenger from the mine,” the Major whispered.
“Don’t talk of it,” said the Doctor angrily. “Who is down there now?”
“Mr Jessop Reed and that Mr Wrigley. They are trying everything to discover a continuation of the lost lode.”
“Bah! let them. Well, what do they want? Do they expect me to operate on the vein and make it bleed again?”
“No, no. There is a man there, one Sturgess, the foreman, grievously ill, and this Mr Wrigley, knowing that you are here, has sent their clerk Robson over with a message begging you to see him.”
“I? No: impossible. Let him see the local man. I am engaged solely to watch my old friend’s son.”