Indeed, I hardly think you will be in time to see him; but I promised to give you this message.
Yours faithfully, R.WHITE." "I must go," Charles said, throwing the note across to Ralph.

"Give the boy half a crown, will you?
I suppose I may take Othello ?" and before Ralph had mastered the contents of the note, and begun to fumble for a half-crown, Charles was saddling Othello himself, without waiting for the groom, and in a few minutes was clattering over the stones out of the yard.
There was just light enough to ride by, and he rode hard.

What was it--what could it be that Raymond had still to tell him?
He felt certain it had something to do with Ruth, and probably Dare.

Should he arrive in time to hear it?
There at last were the lights of D---- in front of him.
Should he arrive in time?
As he pulled up his steaming horse before the police-station his heart misgave him.
"Am I too late ?" he asked of the man who came to the door.
He looked bewildered.
"Stephens! Is he dead ?" The man shook his head.
"They say he's a'most gone." Charles threw the rein to him, and hurried in-doors.

He met some one coming out, the doctor probably, he thought afterwards, who took him up-stairs, and sent away the old woman who was in attendance.
"I can't do anything more," he said, opening the door for him.