Part 65 (2/2)

”For heaven's sake, come! That fellow--it's--it's----”

”Who?” said Ralston sharply.

”I don't know!” panted back Tommy. ”I'm mad, I think. But come--for goodness' sake--before he bleeds to death!”

Ralston came with a velocity which exceeded even Tommy's wild rush.

Tommy marvelled at it later. He had not thought the phlegmatic and slow-moving Ralston had it in him. He himself was left well behind, and when he re-entered the dining-room Ralston was already bending over the huddled figure that sprawled across the table.

”Come and lend a hand!” he ordered. ”We must get him on the floor. Poor devil! He's got it pretty straight.”

He had not seen the stricken man's face. He was too concerned with the wound to worry about any minor details for the moment.

Tommy helped him to the best of his ability, but he was trembling so much that in a second Ralston swooped scathingly upon his weakness.

”Steady man! Pull yourself together! What on earth's the matter? Never seen a little blood before? If you faint, I'll--I'll kick you! There!”

Tommy pulled himself together forthwith. He had never before submitted to being bullied by Ralston; but he submitted then, for speech was beyond him. They lowered the big frame between them, and at Ralston's command he supported it while the doctor made a swift examination of the injury.

Then, while this was in progress, the wounded man recovered his senses and forced a few husky words. ”Hullo,--Ralston! Have they done me in?”

Ralston's eyes went to his face for the first time, shot a momentary glance at Tommy, and returned to the matter in hand.

”Don't talk!” he said.

A few seconds later he got to his feet. ”Keep him just as he is! I must go and fetch something. Don't let him speak!”

He was gone with the words, and Tommy, still feeling bewildered and rather sick, knelt in silence and waited for his return.

But almost immediately the husky voice spoke again. ”Tommy--that you?”

Tommy felt himself begin to tremble again and put forth all his strength to keep himself in hand. ”Don't talk!” he said gruffly.

”I've--got to talk.” The words came, forced by angry obstinacy. ”It's no--d.a.m.nation--good. I'm done for--beaten on the straight. And that h.e.l.l hound Monck--”

”d.a.m.n you! Be quiet!” said Tommy in a furious undertone.

”I won't be quiet. I'll have--my turn--such as it is. Where's Stella?

Fetch Stella! I've a right to that anyway. She is--my lawful wife!”

”I can't fetch her,” said Tommy.

”All right then. You can tell her--from me--that she's been duped--as I was. She's mine--not his. He came--with that c.o.c.k-and-bull story about--the other woman. But she was dead--I've found out since. She was dead--and he knew it. He faked up the tale--to suit himself. He wanted her--the d.a.m.n skunk--wanted her--and cheated--cheated--to get her.”

He stopped, checked by a terrible gurgle in the throat. Tommy, white with pa.s.sion, broke fiercely into his gasping silence.

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