"My mind's made up. There's a load on me that I've got to get rid of before I can be well."
"That's what frets me, cap'n," returned Cassidy earnestly. "You're just sick enough to make a whole lot more of that 'load' than you ought to. Quit worryin' about it. That'll be better for the 'load' and for you, too."
"Does the landlady understand——"
"I've told her to expect a friend of your'n by the back door, an' Mrs. Thomas is sittin' up herself just to let the friend in. She won't trust it to the servant girl."
"I'll remember Mrs. Thomas for that! When I'm well again——"
A bell rang sharply in front of the house.
"What's that?" demanded Townsend, starting up in his bed.
"Don't get nervous, cap'n," answered Cassidy soothingly. "It's only the gate bell. Some other visitor, I reckon."
"I don't see why people have bells on their gates," worried Townsend. "I never saw it any other place."
A stir was heard in the regions below. Presently there came the mellow tinkle of the doorbell, and the sound of an opening door and voices. A little later a knock on Townsend's door carried Cassidy to the entrance to the room. Mrs. Thomas was in the hall.