Be calm, man, you are with your best friends." I laid him on the old horsehair sofa, while Esther, whose fears had all flown to the winds now that something practical was to be done, dashed some brandy into a tumbler and brought it to him.

The stimulant had a marvellous effect upon him, for the colour began to come back into his pale cheeks and the light of recognition in his eyes.
He sat up and took Esther's hand in both of his, like a man who is waking out of some bad dream and wishes to assure himself that he is really in safety.
"Your father ?" I asked.

"What of him ?" "He is gone." "Gone!" "Yes; he is gone; and so is Corporal Rufus Smith.

We shall never set eyes upon them again." "But where have they gone ?" I cried.

"This is unworthy of you, Mordaunt.
What right have we to sit here, allowing our private feelings to overcome us, while there is a possibility of succouring your father?
Up, man! Let us follow him.