"I told her. I was obliged. The work ought to have been taken back before, and she wanted to know why I had not got it done as I promised. When I said you were ill, she asked a great many questions, and would hardly let me have any more to bring home. She was afraid lest it should be a fever, or something of that kind, and is going to send a doctor the first thing to-morrow morning in order to be sure. I don't think that we need be very grateful to her, and yet I am glad he is coming. He will give you something, I hope, to relieve and do you good."
"It can't be helped now," said Matthew, "but I would rather have waited and seen old Marshall's friend—not that I have any faith in doctors."
"It is of no use waiting, Matthew," said his wife, in a low voice, "you'll never see Marshall again, or his friend either."
"How do you know?"
"I called at the office this evening," answered Mrs. Reardon. "They were all gone. I knew they would be, but I thought that I might ask the old housekeeper whether he had been there lately."
"And what did she say?"
"Oh, Matthew," continued his wife, "I hardly like to tell you. You remember that dark stormy night when he came here? It appears that the poor old gentleman met with an accident going home, and was much injured, especially about the head and back. The housekeeper did not rightly know the particulars, and she did not believe that any one else did, only that he was taken to the hospital, nothing but a Bible being found in his pockets. He remained there until his master, who had become uneasy at his absence, discovered him. Mr. Heighington has scarcely left him since, but he does not know him or any one else. It is beautiful, for all that, she says, to hear him talking and praying, and some of the patients can't help crying. All yesterday he was sinking fast, and she thought it most probable that by this time all was over."
Matthew buried his face in his hands, and remained silent.
"Polly," whispered Bessie, "do you think it could be the wolves?"
"I don't know," answered her sister, "it seems like it."