It is that child that he wants! He worships her to adoration, and knowing he can never be anything to her, he prefers death to life.

In God's name, what can I do about it ?" "Barring that missing hand, I never examined a finer man," said the surgeon, "and she seemed perfectly devoted to him; why cannot he have her ?" "Why ?" echoed McLean.

"Why?
Well, for many reasons! I told you he was my son.

You probably knew that he was not.

A little over a year ago I never had seen him.