He turned his attention to Sisily, bending over her and feeling her pulse.

With a sharp exclamation he dropped her wrist and tore open the front of her dress, placing his hand on her heart.

With his other hand he took up his stethoscope from the table.
"Bring that lamp closer--quick!" he cried.
Thalassa lifted the lamp from the table and stood beside him.

The yellow glow of the lamp enveloped the livid bluish features of Sisily and the stooping form with the stethoscope.

The instrument of silver and rubber held miraculous possibilities of life and death to Thalassa.