The clerk brought the hypodermic needle.
"You give it to him," said Mackintosh. "You're more used to that sort of thing than I am."
His head ached horribly. It felt as though all sorts of little savage things were beating inside it, trying to get out. They watched for the effect of the injection. Presently Walker opened his eyes slowly. He did not seem to know where he was.
"Keep quiet," said Mackintosh. "You're at home. You're quite safe."
Walker's lips outlined a shadowy smile.
"They've got me," he whispered.
"I'll get Jervis to send his motor-boat to Apia at once. We'll get a doctor out by to-morrow afternoon."
There was a long pause before the old man answered,
"I shall be dead by then."
A ghastly expression passed over Mackintosh's pale face. He forced himself to laugh.