He was supporting another figure by the arm, and as Howland stared into the bloodless face of the man who came with him, he could not repress the exclamation of astonishment which rose to his lips.

Three months before he had last seen Thorne in Chicago; a man in the prime of life, powerfully built, as straight as a tree, the most efficient and highest paid man in the company's employ.

How often had he envied Thorne! For years he had been his ideal of a great engineer.
And now-- He stood speechless.

Slowly, as if the movement gave him pain, Thorne slipped off the great fur coat from about his shoulders.

One of his arms was suspended in a sling.