"What time is it?"
"Half-past six," I answered.
"I've told you all. That cursed fall last night has done for me; or I
would have gone with you--gone with you to--to--"
Again he faltered. The fingers which I clasped seemed to stiffen around
mine and grow cold.
He was dying!
"For Heaven's sake bear up a few moments!" I implored. "There _must_
be a doctor about now. See, it's getting light!"
Those dark eyes which had pierced me on the previous night once more
turned to mine. In their depths a film was gathering. He motioned that
he wished to speak, and I leaned down till my face almost touched his.
"Well?" I inquired, kindly and softly.
"It's--for--Nell--I--"
All was over!
For a few seconds I was stunned. It seemed impossible that he was
dead--it was not to be realised, in spite of the inanimate body before
me.
Then suddenly I gazed about me.
The noise of busy London was in my ears; the day was before me. No more
could be learnt from the corpse--why should I stay?
Hastily putting the photograph and the piece of sealed paper into my
pocket, I turned and left the room.
The energy of the movement was so great that as I opened the door my
attention was attracted by the skirt of a woman's dress disappearing
round a corner of the landing.
In spite of my haste, however, the person had gone when I reached the
door of the house and stepped into the street. There was no one
visible.
Then I remembered an omission.
Retracing my steps, I regained the attic. The body lay rigid and cold
as I had left it a few minutes before.