"He can not come. He charged me with a message to you."
"You are very welcome. My niece will be home presently. Be seated, sir."
Daniel Mylrea did not sit, but continued to stand before his father, with head held down. After a moment he spoke again.
"Father Dalby," he said, "is dead."
The Bishop sunk to his chair. "When—when—"
"He died the better part of a month ago."
The Bishop rose to his feet.
"He was in this island but yesterday."
"He bade me tell you that he had fulfilled his pledge to you and come to the island, but died by the visitation of God the same night whereon he landed here."
The Bishop put one hand to his forehead.