Pete looked up and his manner changed. “Speak it out, sir. It's a poor man that can't stand——”
“I've come on the saddest errand,” said Philip, taking a seat as far away as possible.
“You've found her—you've seen her, sir. Where is she?”
“She is——” began Philip, and then he stopped.
“Go on, mate; I've known trouble before to-day,” said Pete.
“Can you bear it?” said Philip. “She is——” and he stopped again.
“She is—where?” said Pete.
“She is dead,” said Philip at last.
Pete rose to his feet. Philip rose also, and now poured out his message with the headlong rush of a cataract.
“In fact, it all happened some time ago, Pete, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you before. I tried, but I couldn't. It was in Douglas—of a fever—in a lodging—alone—unattended——”