"Very much the contrary," said the surgeon grimly. "And if you are sound in other respects——"
"I have never known what it is to be really ill," said Mark eagerly; "and I don't think I've had breakfast in bed since I left Harrow."
"And not often there—eh? Never shammed at school did you when the first lesson was a bit stiff?"
"The first lesson never was very stiff—to me," Mark replied.
Barger, with impassive face, began an examination, which lasted longer than Mark expected. At the end Mark said nervously: "The heart is not weaker than it was?"
"Your heart need not cause you any serious anxiety," said the surgeon slowly.
"Thank God!" exclaimed the young man. "From your face I feared a different verdict."
"There is other trouble, Mr. Samphire."
Then Mark smiled pitifully. His premonition of disaster was justified.
"You can speak f-f-frankly," he stammered.