His eyes were closed, but when I called his name he opened them and gazed at me in a dim, dazed fashion.
"You here--you?" he murmured.
"Yes, yes; how came it thus?" I said.
"Stark!" he gasped. "We met in battle--I pursued--he led me on--then turned upon me here--and--faith, his accursed sword hath gone clean through my lungs. I bleed within. I die."
"Stark is dead," I said by way of comfort.
"What! didst kill him?"
"Yes. He lies dead scarce two hundred yards from here."
"Good--good!" he murmured fervently. "But stay--it grows amazing dark! Come near, friend."
I put my ear close to his mouth.
"That money which you gave me, friend," he whispered faintly, "'tis in my pocket with some more besides. I have a wife and little girl in Bridgewater. Wilt see they get it?"