He knew what his own disorder was; he knew that the moment the water began to mount, and had attained a certain height, his life would be gone.
"How many hours have I to live ?" he inquired of Dr.West.
"Probably for some days," was the answer.
_What_ could it have been that was troubling the mind of Mr.Verner?
That it was worldly trouble was certain.

That other trouble, which has been known to distract the minds of the dying, to fill them with agony, was absent from his.

On that score he was in perfect peace.

But that some very great anxiety was racking him might be seen by the most casual observer.

It had been racking him for a long time past, and it was growing worse now.