The doctor thinks very seriously of her." "Her husband has been informed ?" "Her husband," said Nap from between his teeth, "has been informed, and he declines to come to her.

That's the sort of brute he is." Lucas Errol made no comment, and after a moment Nap continued: "It is just as well perhaps.

I hear he is never sober after a day's sport.

And I believe she hates the sight of him if the truth were told--and small wonder!" There was unrestrained savagery in the last words.

Lucas turned his head and looked at him thoughtfully.
"You know her rather well ?" he said.
"Yes." Nap's eyes, glowing redly, met his with a gleam of defiance.
"You have known her for long ?" The question was perfectly quiet, uttered in the tired voice habitual to this man who had been an invalid for almost the whole of his manhood.
Yet Nap frowned as he heard it.