‘That is all, sir,’ answered Nathan, evidently relieved that his visitor rose to go.
‘Nothing more?’ pursued the Colonel, as he buttoned his cloak. He looked straight at Nathan, whose eyes fell before the soldier's searching glance.
‘No,’ he hesitated—‘nothing.’
There was silence. Suddenly a voice from a room above called ‘Nathan!’ twice.
‘Whose voice is that?’ exclaimed Colonel Lindsay. ‘I thought you lived alone?’
‘I do; but this is a friend who is ill, and is staying with me for a time. Excuse me, sir, but I am wanted.’
Again the call for Nathan.
‘Go to your friend,’ said the Colonel; ‘I will not detain you. After you have attended to his wants, come back to me.’
Very unwillingly Nathan opened the staircase door; but no sooner had he turned to go upstairs than he found his visitor behind him.
‘Go on,’ he said, as he paused. ‘I can read you like a book.’ Another moment, and Colonel Lindsay had clasped the hands of Bertram Peregrine, and Nathan had left the two alone.