"Is there any chance?" demanded Hal.
"I doubt if they'll get him to the hospital alive."
"The best man in Worthington!" said Hal passionately. "Oh!" He shook his clenched fists at the outer darkness. "I'll make somebody pay for this."
Esmé's hand fell upon his arm. "Do you want me to stay?" she asked.
"No. You must go home. It's been a terrible thing for you."
"I'll go to the hospital," she said, "and I'll 'phone you as soon as there is any news."
"Better come home with me, Hal," said his father gently.
The younger man turned with an involuntary motion toward the desk, still wet with his friend's blood.
"I'll stay on the job," he said.
Understanding, the father nodded his sympathy. "Yes; I guess that would have been Mac's way," said he.