At least I knew that it was full of wonderful knowledge, wonderful memories and wonderful hopes, and that in the latter two of these I had some part; what part I could not tell.

Also I knew that my heart was open to her and that she saw in it something which caused her to marvel and to sigh.
In a few seconds, thirty perhaps, all this was gone.

Nothing remained except that I felt extremely strong and well, happier, too, than I had been for years.

Mutely I asked her for more of the water, but she shook her head and, taking the cup from me, filled it again and gave it to Bickley, who drank.

He flushed, seemed to lose the self-control which was his very strong characteristic, and said in a rather thick voice: "Curious! but I do not think at this moment there is any operation that has ever been attempted which I could not tackle single-handed and with success." Then he was silent, and Bastin's turn came.