HislettertoMrs。Fairbankswasbriefandclear。
　　"Ithankyouforyoursympathy，"hewrote，"andIgrievewithyouinyourgreatsorrow。"
　　"InregardtowhatyouwriteconcerningMissHelen，youhavemadeyourselfperfectlyclear，andIwishtorepeatnowwhatIsaidonthemorningofmyleavinghome:thatMissHelenistoconsiderherselfinnosenseboundtome。Sheisperfectlyfree，asfreeasifshehadnotspoken。Ifullyrealisethepossibilityofmistakingone’sfeelingsunderthestressofsuchemotionalexcitement。Thesphereofworkopeningoutbeforeherisoneineverywaysuitedtoher，andoneinwhichshewillfindfullscopeforhersplendidpowersofheartandmind，andIshallbegladtoknowthatherhappinessisassured。Atthesametime，truthdemandsthatIshouldsaythatmyfeelingstowardherhavenotchanged，norwilltheyeverchange;and，whileIcannotaskhertosharealifesuchasmine，I
　　shallneverceasetoloveher。"
　　InShock’spreaching，andinhisvisitationofhispeople，anewspiritmadeitselffelt。Therewasnolessenergy，buttherewasanaddedsweetness，andadeepersympathy。HehadentereduponthewayoftheCross，andthebruisingofhisheartdistilledallitstendernessinwordanddeed。Isispreachingwasmarkedbyanewpower，anewintensity;andwhen，aftertheeveningservice，theygatheredabouttheorgantospendanhourinsingingtheirfavouritehymns，thanmostofalltheywereconsciousofthechangeinhim。
　　Theclosertheydrewtowardhimthemoretenderdidtheyfindhishearttobe。
　　ThelonelinessofthedaysthatfollowedwastoShockunspeakable。
　　Therewasnoonetowhomhecouldunburdenhimself。Hisfacebegantoshowthemarksofthesufferingwithin。Insteadoftheruddy，full，round，almostboyishappearance，itbecamethinandhard，andcutwithdeeplines。
　　Thedoctor，whonowmadehishomeinLoonLake，becameanxiousabouthisfriend，buthewastooexperiencedandtooskilledaphysiciantobedeceivedastothecauseofShock’schangedappearance。
　　"Itisnotsicknessofthebody，"heremarkedtoIke，whowastalkingitoverwithhim，"butofthemind，andthat，myfriend，isthemostdifficulttotreat。"
　　"Well，"saidIke，"whenIhearhimspeakinmeetin’，andseehimgitononeofthemsmilesofhis，Icomepurtynighmakin’afoolofmyself。IguessI’llhavetoquitgoin’tochurch。"
　　"No，Idonotthinkyouwillquit，Ike，myboy，"saidthedoctor。
　　"Youhavebecomethoroughlywellinoculated。Youcouldnot，ifyoutried。"
　　"Well，Isurmiseitwouldbedifficult，butIwishsomethin’wouldhappen。"
　　XVIII
　　THEDON’SRECOVERY
　　Ikehadhiswish;for，whenonedayhisbusinesstookhimtotheFort，thestagebroughtastrangeraskingthewaytoMr。Macgregor’shouse，andimmediatelyIkeundertooktoconvoyhimthither。ItwasTheDon。
　　Shock’sshoutofwelcomedidIkegood，butthemeetingbetweenthetwomennoonesaw。AfterthefirstwarmgreetingShockbegantobeawareofagreatchangeinhisfriend。Hewasasamanwhosehearthasbeenchilledtothecore，cold，hard，irresponsive。TowardShockhimselfTheDonwasunchangedinaffectionandadmiration，buttowardalltheworldhewasadifferentmanfromtheoneShockhadknownincollegedays。
　　InShock’sworkhewasmildlyinterested，buttowardallthatstoodforreligionhecherishedafeelingofbitternessamountingtohatred。True，outofrespectheattendedShock’sservices，butheremainedunmovedthroughall;sothat，afterthefirstjoyinhisfriend’scompanionship，thechangeinhimbroughtShockafeelingofpain，andhelongedtohelphim。
　　"Wewillhavetogethimtowork，"hesaidtothedoctor，towhomhehadconfidedTheDon’shistoryinpart，notomittingthegreatgriefthathadfallenuponhim。
　　"Awisesuggestion，"repliedthedoctor，whohadbeenattractedbyhisyoungbrotherintheprofession，"awisesuggestion。Thiscountry，however，ispainfullyfreefromallendemicorepidemicdiseases。"
　　"Well，doctor，youknowweoughttogetthathospitalgoinginthePass。Letustalkitoverwithhim。"
　　AtthefirstopportunityShocksetforthhisplansforthephysicalandmoralredemptionofthelumbermenandminersofthePass。
　　"Ihaveseenthemostghastlycutsandbruisesonthechapsinthelumbercamps，"hesaid，"andtheminersarealwaysblowingthemselvesup，andgettingallsortsofchesttroubles，nottospeakofmountainfever，rheumatism，andthelike。Thereisabsolutelynoplaceforthemtogo。Hickey’ssaloonisvile，noisy，andfullofbugs。Ugh！I’llneverforgetthenightIputinthere。Icanfeelthemyet。Andbesides，Hickeyhasagangabouthimthatmakeitunsafeforanymantogothereinhealth，muchlessinsickness。
　　Why，thestoriestheytellareperfectlyawful。Afellowgoesinwithhismonth’spay。Inonenighthisfiftyorsixtydollarsaregone，nooneknowshow。Thepoorchapisdrunk，andhecannottell。
　　Whenaprospectorcomesdownfromthehillsandsellsaprospectforagoodfigure，fromahundredtofivehundreddollars，andsometimesmore，thesefellowsgetabouthimandrollhim。Intwoweeksheiskickedout，halfdead。Oh，Hickeyisavillain，andheisinleaguewiththered—lighthouses，too。Theyworktogether，tothephysicalandmoraldamnationoftheplace。Wewantacleanstopping—place，aclub—room，andaboveeverythingelseahospital。Why，whentheminersandlumbermenhappentogetoffthesamenightthebloodflows，andthereisabundantpracticeforanysurgeonforaweekorso。"
　　"Soundsexciting，"saidTheDon，mildlyinterested。"Whydon’tyougoup，doctor？"
　　"ItisnotthekindofpracticeIdesire。Mytastesareforagentlermodeoflife。ThedangersofthePassaretooexcitingforme。Theyareaquaintpeople，"thedoctorcontinued，"primitiveintheirideasandcustoms，pre—historic，indeed，intheirpracticeofournobleart。Irememberanexperienceofmine，someyearsagonow，whichmadeavividimpressionuponmeatthetime，andindeed，I
　　couldnotridmyselfoftheeffectsformanydays，formanydays。"
　　"Whatwasthat，doctor？"enquiredShock，scentingastory。
　　"Well，itisaveryinterestingtale，averyinterestingtale。
　　Chieflysoasanillustrationofhow，incircumstancesdevoidoftheamenitiesofcivilisedlife，thehumanspeciestendstowardbarbarism。Aclearcaseofreversiontotype。Therewasahalf—breedfamilylivinginthePass，bythenameofGoulais，andwiththe，familylivedGoulais’brother，bynameAntoine，or，ifyouspelleditastheypronouncedit，itwouldbe’Ontwine。’Themarriedone’snamewasPierre。Antoinewasalumberman，andinthepursuitofhisavocationhecaughtaseverecold，whichinducedaviolentinflammationofthebowels，causingveryconsiderabledistensionandagreatdealofpain。Beingintheneighbourhoodattendingsomecasesoffever，IwasinducedbysomefriendsoftheGoulaistocallandseethesickman。"
　　"ThemomentIopenedthedoorIwasmetbyamostpungentodour，amostpungentodour。Indeed，thoughIhaveexperiencedmostofthesmellsthatcometooneinthepracticeofourprofession，thisodourhadapungencyandanauseatingcharacterallitsown。LookingintotheroomIwasstartledtoobservetheplaceswimmingwithblood，literallyswimmingwithblood。Bloodonthefloor，blooduponthebed，anddrippingfromit。"
　　"’Whatdoesthismean？Issomeonebeingmurdered？Whencethisblood？’"
　　"’Non！non！"exclaimedMrs。Goulais。"Thereisnoonekeel。Itisonecatblood。’"
　　"Approachingthebedtoobtainanearerviewofthepatient，I
　　discoveredthecause。Turningdownthebedquilttomakeanexamination，youmayimaginemysurpriseandhorrortoobserveaghastlyandbloodyobjectlyingacrosstheabdomenofthesickman。
　　Anearerexaminationrevealedthistobeanimmensecatwhichhadbeenrippedupfromchintotail，andlaidwarmandbleeding，withallitsappurtenances，upontheunhappypatient。Allthroughthedaythebrother，Pierre;hadbeenkeptbusilyengagedinhuntingupanimalsofvariouskinds，whichweretobeexcisedinthismannerandappliedaspoultice。"
　　"Inuncivilisedcommunitiestheanimalwhosehealingvirtuesaresupposedtobemostpotentisthecat，andthecureismostcertainlyassuredifthecatbeabsolutelyblack，withoutasinglewhitehair。Inthiscommunity，however，deprivedofmanyofthedomesticfelicities，theabsenceofcatsmadeitnecessaryforpoorPierretoemployanyanimalonwhichhecouldlayhishands;so，throughouttheday，birdsandbeasts，variedinsizeandcharacter，wereoffereduponthisaltar。ThecatwhichIdiscovered，however，wasevidentlythatuponwhichtheirhopesmostfirmlyrested;for，uponthefailureofotheranimals，recoursewouldbehadtothecat，whichhadbeenkeptinreserve。Thestateofpreservationsuggestedthis。"
　　"Averyslightexaminationofthepatientshowedmethattherewaspracticallynohopeofhisrecovery，andthatitwouldbealmostuselessinmetoattempttochangethetreatment，andallthemorethatIshouldhavetoovercomenotonlytheprejudicesofthepatientandofhissister—in—law，butalsoofhisveryable—bodiedbrother，whosedevotiontohisownpeculiarmethodoftreatmentamountedtofanaticism。However，Ideterminedtomakeanattempt。I
　　preparedhotfomentations，removedthecat，andmademyfirstapplication。ButnosoonerhadIbegunmytreatmentthanIheardPierrereturningwithafreshlyslaughteredanimalinhishand。Themostlivelyhope，indeed，triumph，wasmanifestinhisexcitedbearing。HeborebythetailananimalthecharacterofwhichnoneofuswereindoubtfromthemomentPierreappearedinsight。Itwasthemephitismephitica，thatmephitinemusteloidcarnivorewithwhichnoneofusdesireacloseacquaintance，whichannouncesitspresencewithoutdifficultyataveryconsiderabledistance;inshort，theanimalvulgarlyknownastheskunk。"
　　"’Voila！’exclaimedPierre，holdingtheanimalupforouradmiration。’Disfeexhimqueek。"
　　"’Ah！MonDieu！’exclaimedhiswife，coveringherfacewithherapron。But，whetherfromdevotiontohisartorfromaffectionforhisbrother，Pierrepersistedincarryingouthistreatment。Helaidtheanimal，cleftandpungentlyodorous，uponthepatient。Needlesstosay，Isurrenderedthecaseatonce。"
　　Thedoctor’smanneroftellingthestorywassoextremelydrollthatbothTheDonandShockwereconvulsedwithlaughter。
　　"Yes，theyneedahospital，Ishouldsay，"saidTheDon，whentheyhadrecovered。
　　"Well，"saidShock，"weshallgoupandhavealookatit。"
　　TheresultoftheirvisittothePasswasthatwithinafewweeksaroughlogbuildingwaserected，floored，roofedin，chinkedwithmoss，andlinedwithcotton，lumbermenandminerswillinglyassistingintheworkofbuilding。
　　TheDonbecamemuchinterestedinthewholeenterprise。Hevisitedthevariouslumbercamps，laidtheschemebeforethebossesandthemen，andinashorttimegatheredabouttwohundreddollarsforfurnishingandequipment。
　　Shocklefthimtocarryouttheworkalone，butaftertwoweekshadpassedhewassurprisedtoreceiveamessageonedaythattheyoungdoctorwascuttingthingslooseupinthePass。WithagreatfearathisheartShockrodeupthenextday。Thefirstmanwhomhemetinthelittle，stragglingvillagewasSergeantCrispoftheNorth—WestMountedPolice，amanofhighcharacter，andfamedintheTerritoriesalikeforhiscoolcourageandunimpeachableintegrity。
　　"Uptoseetheyoungdoctor？"wastheSergeant’ssalutation。"YouwillfindhimatNancy’s，Iguess，"pointingtowherearedlightshonethroughtheblacknight。"Doyouwantmealong？"
　　"No，thankyou，"saidShock。"IthinkIhadbettergoalone。"
　　Foramomenthehesitated。
　　"Howdoesonegoin？"heenquired。
　　"Why，turnthehandleandwalkrightin，"saidtheSergeant，withalaugh。"Youdon’twanttobebashfulthere。"
　　WithasickeningfeelingofhorrorathisheartShockstrodetothered—lightdoor，turnedthehandle，andwalkedin。
　　Intheroomwereanumberofmen，andtwoorthreewomeninalltheshamelessdishabilleoftheirprofession。AsShockopenedthedoorayounggirl，withmuchofheryouthfulfreshnessandbeautystillabouther，greetedhimwithafoulsalutation。
　　Shockshrankbackfromherasifshehadstruckhimintheface。Thegirlnoticedtheaction，camenearertohim，andofferedhimherhand。Shock，overcominghisfeelingofshame，tookthehandofferedhim，andholdingitforamoment，said:"Mydeargirl，thisisnoplaceforyou。Yourhomewaitsforyou。YourSaviourlovesyou。"
　　Inthenoisethatfilledtheroomnoonesavethegirlherselfheardhiswords;buttwoorthreemenwhoknewShockwell，amazedathisappearanceinthatplace，exclaimed:"It’sthepreacher！"
　　Nancy，thekeeperofthehouse，whowassittingatoneofthetablesgamblingwithsomemen，sprangtoherfeetand，seeingShock，pouredoutatorrentoffoulblasphemy。
　　"Getoutofthishouse！Getout，Isay！You’venobusinesshere。Go，blankyourblanksoul！Takeyourselfoutofthis！"
　　Sheworkedherselfintoaragingfury。Shockstoodquietlylookingather。
　　"Here，Tom！Pat！Putthisblank，blankout，oryou’llgoyourselves。
　　WhatdoIkeepyoufor？"
　　Threeorfourmen，respondingtohercall，approachedShock。
　　MeantimeTheDon，whohadbeensittingatoneofthetableswiththreeothers，apileofmoneybeforehim，stoodgazinginamazementatShock，unabletobelievehiseyes。
　　AsthemenapproachedShockTheDoncameforward。
　　"Stop！"hesaid。"Thismanismyfriend。"
　　"Friendornofriend，"shriekedNancy，besideherselfwithrage，"outhegoes。Hecalledmenamesinthistown。Hethreatenedtodrivemeoutofthetown。"
　　"Come，Don，"saidShock，ignoringNancy。"Iwantyou。"
　　"WaitonemomentandIamwithyou，"repliedTheDon，goingbacktothetablewherehehadbeensitting。"Wewillfinishthisgameagain，gentlemen，"hesaid。"Hickey，that’smymoney。Handitover。"
　　"Youlie！"saidHickey。"Curseyouforablank，blankswell！Youcan’tcomethatgameoverus。Itaintyourmoney，anyway，andyouknowit。That’smoneyyouraisedforthehospital。Comeon，boys，let’scleanthemout。Theydon’tbelongtous。"
　　WiththesewordshesprangatTheDon，butTheDon’straininginthe’Varsitygymnasiumhadnotbeeninvain，andhemetHickeywithastraightleft—handerthatsenthimintothecorneruponhisshoulders，withhisfeetintheair。
　　SimultaneouslywithHickey’sattack，Nancy，shrieking"Killhim！
　　killhim！"flewatShock，andfasteningherfingersinhishairdraggedhisheaddownward。Takingadvantageofthisattackamanfromthecrowdrushedinandstruckhimaheavyblowontheneck，andashewasfallingkickedhimfullinhisface。Immediatelyanother，jumpingonShock’sprostrateform，begankickinghimsavagelywithhisheavycalkedboots。
　　"Giveittohim！"yelledNancy，dancingaboutlikeafiend。
　　"Stop！Stop！Youhavekilledhim！"shriekedtheyounggirl，Nelliebyname，throwingherselfuponShockandcoveringhimwithherbody。
　　"Getup，youblankfool！"yelledNancy，seizingherbythehair。
　　Atthismoment，however，TheDon，freedfromHickey，sprangtoShock’sside，seizedNancybythebackoftheneckandhurledheracrosstheroom，caughtthemanwhowasstilltryingtokickShocktodeath，bythethroat，andholdinghimathalfarmstruckhimaterrificblowandthrewhimlikealogagainsthiscompanion，whocamerushingtohisassistance。
　　MeantimeNancy，stillshriekingherrefrain，"Killhim！killhim！"
　　wasdraggingforwardHickey，whohadpartiallyrecoveredfromTheDon’sblow，torenewtheattack。
　　"Comeon，youcowards！"shecriedtotheothermen。"Whatareyouafraidof？Comeon。"
　　Stungbyhertauntsthemen，ledbyHickey，preparedtorush，whenthedooropenedandSergeantCrispappeared。ImmediatelythemenwhohadattackedShockvanishedthroughthebackdoor。
　　"Hickey，Iwantyou。Standwhereyouare。Youtoo，Nancy，andeverymanofyou。What’sthis？Someonehurt？Why，it’sthepreacher。Thismaybeserious，"hecontinued，drawinghisrevolver。"Don’tmove。
　　Notamanofyou。Whatdoesthismean？"heasked，addressingTheDon。
　　"Myfriendthere，"saidTheDon，"cameforme。Weweregoingoutwhentheyattackedus。"
　　"Goandgethelp，"repliedtheSergeant。"Wewillcarryhimtothehospital。Youwould，eh？"tooneofthemenwhostartedforthedoor。"Here，putupyourhands。Quick！"Therewasaflashandaclick，andthemanstoodhandcuffed。
　　InafewmomentsTheDoncamebackwithhelp，andtheycarriedShock，groaningandbleeding，tothehospital，whiletheSergeant，puttingamaninchargeofNancyandhergang，accompaniedTheDon。
　　Inanagonyofremorsefulsolicitudeforhisfriend，andcursinghimselfforhisfolly，TheDondirectedthemovementsofthebearers。
　　InthedarknessbehindthemcamethegirlNellie，followingtothedoorofthehospital。
　　"Whatareyouafter？"saidSergeantCrispsharply。"Wedon’twantyouhere。"
　　"Iwanttoseethedoctor，"shesaidearnestly。
　　"Well？"saidTheDon，facingroundtoher。
　　"Letmenursehim，"shesaidinahurried，timidvoice。"Ihavehadtraining。Youcandependuponme。"
　　TheDonhesitated，glancingatherdishevelled，gaudyattire，paintedcheeks，andfrowsyhair。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"youmaycome。"
　　Thegirldisappeared，andinaveryfewminutesreturneddressedmodestlyandquietly，thepaintandpencillingwashedfromherface，herhairsmoothedbehindherears。TheDonlookedherover，andnoddingapprovalsaid:"Thatisbetter。Now，holdthelightforme。"
　　Hisexaminationrevealedseriousinjuriesabouttheheadandface，threeribsbroken，onepiercingthelungs。WithNellie’sassistancehemanagedtodressthewoundsandsetthebrokenbonesbeforeShockregainedfullconsciousness。
　　Astheywerefinishing。ShockopenedhiseyesandfixedthemenquiringlyuponTheDon’sface。
　　"Well，howdoyoufeel，oldchap？Prettysore，Iguess，"enquiredTheDon。
　　Shocktriedtospeak，buthisattemptendedinagroan。StillhiseyesremainedfastenedenquiringlyuponTheDon’sface。TheDonbentoverhim。
　　"Themoney，Don，"hesaidwithgreatdifficulty。"Hospital？"
　　TheDongroaned。Heunderstoodonlytoowell;，andunabletoescapetheinsistingeyes，replied:"Yes，Shock。ButIwillmakeitallright。Hickeyhasitnow。"
　　Shockclosedhiseyesforafewminutes，andthen，openingthemagain，compelledTheDon’sattention。
　　"SendforIke，"hewhispered。"Rightaway。"
　　NextdayIkeappearedinacold，whiterageatTheDon。Hehadgotthewholestoryfromthemessenger，andblamednoonebutTheDon。
　　AsShock’seyesresteduponIke’slean，hardface，bentoverhimsoanxiously，hesmiledagladwelcome。
　　"Don’tlooklikethat，Ike，"hesaid。"I’llsoonbefit。"
　　"Why，youjustbet！"saidIke，withaloudlaugh，deridingallanxiety。
　　"Ike，"whisperedShock。Ikebentoverhim。"Iwanttwohundreddollarsatonce。Don’ttell。"
　　WithoutawordofquestioningIkenodded，saying"Inhalfanhour，I
　　guess。"Butinlesstimeheappearedand，slippingtherollofbillsunderShock’spillow，said:"It’sallthere。"
　　"Goodoldboy，"saidShock，tryingtoofferhishand。
　　Iketookhishandcarefully。"Isthereanythingelse？"hesaid，hisvoicegraveandhoarse。
　　"No，oldboy，"saidShock。"Thankyou。"
　　"Then，"saidIke，"you’llkeepquieterwithoutme，Iguess。I’llbeonhandoutside。"Andwithanodhestrodeoutoftheroom，hisfaceworkingwithgriefandrage。
　　ForaweekIkeremainedatthePassinhourlyattendanceatthehospital，lookinginateverychanceuponthesickman。InShock’spresencehecarriedanexaggeratedairofcheerfulcarelessness，butoutsidehewentaboutwithafaceofsullengloom。TowardTheDon，withwhomhehadpreviouslybeenonmostfriendlyterms，hewaswrathfullycontemptuous，disdainingevenawordofenquiryforhispatient，preferringtoreceivehisinformationfromthenurse。InIke’scontempt，morethaninanythingelse，TheDonreadthejudgmentofhonourablemenuponhisconduct，andthisdeepenedtoadegreealmostunendurablehisremorseandself—loathing。
　　Onemorning，whenthereportwasnotsofavourable，Ikestoppedhimwiththequestion:"Willhegitbetter。？"
　　"Well，"saidTheDongloomily，"Ihavenotgivenuphope。"
　　"Lookhere，"repliedIke，"Iwantyoutolistentome。"Histonewasquiet，butrelentlesslyhard。"Ifhedon’t，you’lltalktomeaboutit。"
　　TheDonlookedathimsteadily。
　　"Wouldyoukillme？"heasked，withaquietsmile。
　　"Well，"drawledIkeslowly，"I’dtryto。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidTheDon。"Thatwouldsavemethetrouble。"And，turningonhisheel，heleftthecowboyinaverypuzzledstateofmind。
　　ButShockdidnotdie。Hissplendidconstitution，cleanblood，andwholesomelifestoodoffthegrimenemy，andaftertwoweeksofterribleanxietyTheDonbegantohope，andinsistedonthenurseallowingherselfsomerelaxationfromherlongwatch。
　　ButasShockgrewstrongerTheDon’sgloomdeepened。Hehaddeterminedthatoncehisfriendwasfitforworkagainhewouldrelievehimoftheburdenofhispresence。Hehadonlybroughttroubleandshametothemanwhowashismosttrusted，almosthisonlyfriend。
　　LifelookedblacktoTheDoninthosedays。Lloyd’streacheryhadsmittenhimhard。Notonlyhaditshakenhisfaithinman，butinGodaswell，forwithhimLloydhadrepresentedallthatwasmostsacredinreligion。Death，too，hadrobbedhimofhisheart’ssoletreasure，andinrobbinghimofthisithadtakenfromhimwhathadgivenworthtohislifeandinspirationtohiswork。Ofwhatusenowwasanythinghehadleft？
　　Hewasconfronted，too，withtheimmediateresultsofhisrecentfolly。Thehospitalfunds，ofwhichhewasthecustodian，haddisappeared。HeknewthatHickeyhadrobbedhimofmostofthem，butinordertorecoverthemhewouldhavetoacknowledgehiscrimeofusingthemforhisownends。Ashemovedinandoutamongthemen，too，hehadcaughtmurmursofachargeofembezzlementthatinhispresentconditionfilledhimwithshameandfear。Ifthethingcouldbestavedoffforamonthhecouldmakeitright，butheknewwellthatthegangwouldgivehimaslittlerespiteastheycould。
　　Indeed，itwasonlySergeantCrisp’srefusaltoentertainanyformalchargewhileShock’slifewasindanger，thathadsavedTheDonsofar。ButwhileSergeantCrisphadstoodbetweenhimandhisenemiesthusfar，heknewthatadayofreckoningmustcome，fartheSeregantwasnotamantoallowconsiderationsoffriendshiptointerferewithduty。WithSergeantCrispdutywassupreme。
　　ButmorethanTheDonwasShockanxioustohavethismatterofthehospitalfundsclearedup，andheonlywaitedanopportunitytospeaktoTheDonaboutit。Theopportunitywasforcedonhimunexpectedly。
　　Oneday，ashelayapparentlyasleep，theSergeantcalledTheDonintothenextroom。Throughthepaperandcottonpartitiontheirvoicescamequiteclearly。
　　"Ihavebeenwantingtospeaktoyouaboutamatter，"theSergeantsaid，withsomedegreeofhesitation，"Hickey’sfriendsaresayingnastythingsaboutyou。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"saidTheDon，knowingonlytoowell。
　　"Aboutthehospitalfunds，youknow。Infact，theyaresaying——"
　　Atthispointthenursecamerunningin。
　　"Mr。Macgregorwantsyou，doctor，atonce，"shecried，andTheDonhurriedintohim。
　　"GoandtelltheSergeanttowait，"Shocksaidtothenurse，andshewentoutleavingTheDonalonewithhim。
　　"Don，"saidShock，"Iknowallaboutit。Don’tspeak。Here，"takingtherollofbillsfromunderhispillow，"hereisthehospitalmoney。Quick！Don’taskquestionsnow。GototheSergeant。Go！go！"
　　"Nothingwrong？"askedtheSergeantanxiously，whenTheDonhadreturned。
　　"Oh，no，"saidTheDon。"Nothingserious。Youwerespeakingaboutsomehospitalfunds？"
　　"Why，yes，thefactis，theyare——it’sanuglythingtosay——theyarechargingyouwithmisappropriationofthosefunds。"
　　"Oh，theyare？"saidTheDon，whohadbythistimegotbackhisnerve。"Well，Sergeant，letthemcomeon。Theaccountswillbeready。And，indeed，Ishallbegladtoturnoverthefundstoyourselfnow。Excusemeamoment。"Hewenttohisdeskandbroughtoutapassbook。"Thisshowsallthesubscriptions，abouttwohundreddollars，Ithink。Andhere，"hesaid，drawingthebillsoutofhispocket，"youwillfindthewholeamount。"
　　"Notatall，"saidtheSergeant，"notatall，mydearfellow。I
　　thoughtitrightyoushouldknow——beprepared，youunderstand。"
　　"Thankyou，Sergeant，"saidTheDon。"Anytimemybookscanbeseen。
　　Good—bye。"
　　TheDonwentintoShock，sentthenurseoutforawalk，shutthedoor，andthen，returningtothebed，threwhimselfonhisknees。