With a gesture he dismissed the doctor, who went out with Bentley.
When the valet returned, Mr.Caryll was on his knees beside the bed, Sir Richard's hand in his, and Sir Richard was speaking in a feeble, hoarse voice--gasping and coughing at intervals.
"Don't--don't grieve, Justin," he was saying.

"I am an old man.

My time must have been very near.

I--I am glad that it is thus.

It is much better than if they had taken me.