THE FLIGHT OF THE LITTLE PLAYMATE We carried Dessauer back to the boat with the utmost tenderness, the Prince walking by his side, and oft-times taking his hand.

I followed behind them, more than a little sad to think that my troubles should have caused so good and true a man so dangerous a wound.

For though in a young man the scalp-wound would have healed in a week, in a man of the High Councillor's age and delicacy of constitution it might have the most serious effects.
But Dessauer himself made light of it.
"I needed a leech to bleed me," he said.

"I was coward enough to put off the kindly surgery, and here our young friend has provided me one without cost.

His last operation, too, and so no fee to pay.