"So bad as all that, old chap?"
Hammer nodded, his mouth quivering as he bit at his lips; then the words burst forth brokenly.
"God knows I wish—he'd taken—me instead, Harcourt!"
The other put out a weak hand to his, still smiling.
"I say, old chap, don't be so bally broken up! How long?"
Before Hammer replied a step sounded, and he looked up to see Solomon.
"What-o!" exclaimed that individual cheerily. "Inwalid woke up? We'll——"
Solomon's voice died away, and into his wide blue eyes crept a look of utmost sympathy and kindness as he saw that Harcourt knew.
"How long can I count on, Solomon?"
"It's 'ard to say, sir. An hour, the doctor said——"