"I was and I wasn't," returned the surgeon. "I've no time for morning calls, unless they are professional ones; but I wanted to say a word to you. Have you a mind for a further walk in the snow?"
"As far as you like."
"There's a patient of mine drawing very near the time when doctors can do no more for him. He has expressed a wish to see you, and I undertook to convey the request."
"I'll go, of course," said Val, all his kindliness on the alert. "Who is it?"
"A black sheep," answered the surgeon. "I don't know whether that will make any difference?"
"It ought not," said Val rather warmly. "Black sheep have more need of help than white ones, when it comes to the last. I suppose it's a poacher wanting to clear his conscience."
"It's Pike," said Hillary.
"Pike! What can he want with me? Is he no better?"
"He'll never be better in this world; and to speak the truth, I think it's time he left it. He'll be happier, poor fellow, let's hope, in another than he has been in this. Has it ever struck you, Lord Hartledon, that there was something strange about Pike, and his manner of coming here?"
"Very strange indeed."