It was necessary after a little that the servants in the house should know of Paul’s presence there, and they were sworn to secrecy, which was scarcely necessary, as not one of them would have betrayed their young master. After this it was easier to care for him than before. The Smuggler’s room was furnished with every appliance for comfort, and every possible attention was paid to the invalid, whose mind remained shaky and clouded, and who was always trying to remember what had happened and how he came to be in his present quarters. Tom told him two or three times, but the effort to remember tired him so that Paul always shook his head, saying: “No good. It’s all a blur, except Sherry’s licking my face. I remember how cold his tongue was. That’s all.”
“Perhaps Miss Elithe can help you,” Tom suggested, and Paul caught eagerly at it.
“Yes, I want to see Elithe. I have a dim recollection of her. Send for her.”
Mrs. Ralston, who had heard from Tom all the particulars of Paul’s escape from prison, had freely forgiven Elithe for what she had been obliged to say at the trial.
“I’ll go for her,” she said, feeling a great desire to see the girl who had risked so much for Paul.
During the week which had elapsed since Paul’s escape there had been no intercourse between the Ralston House and Miss Hansford’s cottage. Tom knew he was suspected and watched, and, fearing to implicate Elithe in the matter, he had thought best to keep aloof from her as long as possible. And both she and her aunt were glad that he did so. They had no doubt as to the place of Paul’s concealment, but did not care to know certainly, as it was better to be ignorant of his whereabouts until the talk had subsided in some degree. Still they were anxious to know something definite, and were glad when Mrs. Ralston came to them one evening just after dark. She was on foot and alone, not caring to attract attention by driving in her carriage. Taking Elithe’s face between her hands, she kissed it tenderly and said: “I want to thank you for what you did for my boy. Tom tells me you were of great assistance and very brave.”
“How is he?” Miss Hansford asked before Elithe could reply.
Mrs. Ralston told them everything which had occurred since Elithe left Paul in the boat house,—of Paul’s mental condition and the hope they had that Elithe might rouse him.
“He has a high fever, too,” she said.
“Have you had a doctor?” Miss Hansford asked.