“I have nearly done. There seems so much to do at the last,” he added.
The other sat down on the bed and looked at him, filled with grief. The lantern stood by Archie’s hand. His head was bent into the circle of light, and the yellow shine that fell upon it warmed his olive skin and brought out the brown shades in his brows and hair. The changing curves of his mouth were firm in the intensity of his occupation. He had so much expression as a rule that people seldom thought about his features but Callandar now noticed his long chin and the fine lines of his nostril.
His pen scratched on for a few minutes; then he laid it down and turned round.
“You have done me many kindnesses, Callandar,” said he, “and now I am going to ask you for another—the greatest of all. It is everything to me that Captain Logie should get this letter. He is safe, I hope, over the water, but I do not know where. Will you take charge of it?”
“I will,” said the other—“yes.”
The very name of Logie went against him.
“You will have to keep it some little time, I fear,” continued Archie, “but when the country has settled down you will be able to reach him through Lord Balnillo. Promise me that, if you can compass it, he shall get this.”
“If it is to be done, I will do it.”
“From you, that is enough,” said Flemington, “I shall rest quietly.”
He turned to his writing again.