Gerald said faintly, ‘I promise.’ Then he fell back upon the bed.
Just as Harry Venniker was leaving the room Gerald called ‘Harry.’
Harry Venniker returned to the bedside.
‘Harry,’ he said, ‘you remember promising to be my friend for ever, whatever happened.’
‘Yes,’ replied Harry solemnly, ‘but I never thought of this.’
The only answer was, ‘You have saved me to-night.’
‘Yes,’ said Harry, ‘thank God.’
Harry Venniker went out.
He has never told to man or woman the incident of the night following his sister’s funeral.
Next morning it was noticed by the servants that neither Harry Venniker nor Gerald Eversley appeared to have slept in his bed.