"I am here in search of you, Mr. Harding."
"How is that?" asked the sick man, quickly. "Is my sister sick?"
"Not that I know of. I come from Mr. Armstrong, in New York."
"You come from Mr. Armstrong?" repeated the sick man, in evident surprise. "Have you any message for me from him?"
"Yes, but that can wait. I am sorry to find you sick. I hope that it is nothing serious."
"It would not be serious if I were in a settlement where I could obtain a good doctor and proper medicines. Everything is serious here. I have no care or attention, and no medicines."
"Do you feel able to get away from here? It would be better for you to be at Deadwood than here."
"If I had anyone to go with me, I might venture to start for Deadwood."
"I am at your service, Mr. Harding."
The sick man looked at Luke with a puzzled expression.