``I must be gone instantly,'' said Hartley---
``Take courage---I trust to be able to assist you.
In the meantime, take food and physic from none
but my servant, who you see holds the sponge in
his hand. You are in a place where a man's life
has been taken for the sake of his gold sleeve-buttons.''
``Stay yet a moment,'' said Middlemas---``Let
me remove this temptation from my dangerous
neighbours.''
He drew a small packet from his under waistcoat,
and put it into Hartley's hands.
``If I die,'' he said, ``be my heir. You deserve
her better than l.''
All answer was prevented by the hoarse voice of
Seelencooper.
``Well, Doctor, will you carry through your
patient?''
``Symptoms are dubious yet,'' said the Doctor
---``That wag an alarming swoon. You must have
him carried into the private ward, and my young
man shall attend him.''
``Why, if you command it, Doctor, needs must;
---but I can tell you there is a man we both know,
that has a thousand reasons at least for keeping
him in the public ward.''
``I know nothing of your thousand reasons,''
said Hartley; ``I can only tell you that this young
fellow is as well-limbed and likely a lad as the Company
have among their recruits.
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