Though he was beginning to feel the reaction of all he had gone through, his mind was working clearly, and he was praying--praying consciously, in an agony of supplication.
And at last, with a sensation of relief which brought the tears starting to his eyes, Dr.Panton saw that his efforts were to be successful; Bubbles, after a little choking gasp, gave a long, fluttering sigh....
It was then that the doctor had to thank Sir Lyon and Helen Brabazon.
One of them, or both of them together, had thought of going back to the house and of getting an invalid chair which Helen remembered having seen in a corner of one of the rooms when she had been shown over the house by her host.
Even so, it was a very melancholy little procession which followed the two men carrying the chair on which Bubbles now lay in apathetic silence.
* * * * * But everything comes to an end at last, and, after having seen Bubbles put to bed, Dr.Panton turned his attention to Donnington, and he did not leave his second patient till the young man felt, if still shivery and queer, fairly comfortable in bed.

Then the doctor went down to find the other three men in the dining-room, having hot drinks.
Of the three Varick and Sir Lyon showed on their faces traces of the emotion and anxiety which they had been through; but James Tapster looked his normal, phlegmatic self.
"I wonder what exactly happened ?" exclaimed Panton at last.

"I suppose the whole thing was owing to these high-heeled shoes which women _will_ wear." Varick nodded, and, as he saw that Panton expected him to say something, he muttered: "Yes, it must have been something of the kind that made her trip." "It was a near thing," went on the doctor thoughtfully.

"She was very far gone when we got her out at last.

I don't mind admitting now that, when I began, I had hardly any hope of being able to bring her round." He waited a moment and then added, as if to himself: "In fact, there came a time when I would have left off, discouraged, but for the look on that boy's face." "What boy ?" asked Tapster, surprised.
"Donnington, of course! I felt I must bring her back to life for his sake." James Tapster opened his mouth.