That was too much for Gell. He began to stammer incoherently and when he saw a streak of blood begin to flow down Stowell's cheek he broke down altogether. Out of the depths of a thousand memories of their friendship, all the way up since they were boys, a great tide of tenderness came surging over him, and he dropped into a chair and cried,
"Then it's true—I'm mad."
But after another moment he was up and hurrying into the next room for a sponge and a basin of water.
"It's nothing! Nothing at all," said Stowell. "See, it has stopped already. And now sit down and listen."
A few minutes later they were sitting side by side on the sofa—Gell sniffling, Stowell talking quietly.
"Alick!"
"Yes?"
"Bessie is waiting for you. She thinks you are trying to obtain her pardon."
"I know. She has written. But what can I do? Nothing!"
"If I can help her to escape from Castle Rushen will you take her away from the island?"