“Is—he—ill?” he asked, slowly.

“Yes, sir, he is. I am sure he is. I had hoped that you knew where!”

“I was not aware that he was—ill.”

“He must be—a messenger told me!”

“Could he not tell you where?”

“No, it was not a messenger that could speak.”

Colonel Masters understood. Such messengers had spoken to him many times.

“You loved him,” he said, simply.

A scarlet glow crept over her cheeks.

“I—yes. When did you see him last?”