I entered, and crossing to his side, I went down on my knees beside him.
Without giving me time to speak, he clutched my arm with one of his clammy hands, and raised himself painfully upon his elbow, his eyes burning with the fever that was in him.
“A priest!” he gasped. “Get me a priest! Oh, if you would be saved from the flames of everlasting Hell, get me a priest to shrive me. I am dying, and I would not go hence with the burden of all this sin upon my soul.”
I could feel the heat of his hand through the sleeve of my coat. His condition was plain. A raging fever was burning out his life.
“Be comforted,” I said. “I will go at once.” And I rose, whilst he poured forth his blessings upon me.
At the door I checked to ask what was the nearest place.
“Casi,” he said hoarsely. “To your right, you will see the path down the hill-side. You cannot miss it. In half an hour you should be there. And return at once, for I have not long. I feel it.”
With a last word of reassurance and comfort I closed the door, and plunged away into the darkness.