It was
like having the red cross on the door.
CHAPTER XXIX
A Strange Night
Cold, cold with death, came up the tide
In no manner of haste,
Up to her knees, and up to her side,
And up to her wicked waist;
For the hand of the dead, and the heart of the dead,
Are strong hasps they to hold.--G. MACDONALD
"Rector," said Herbert Bowater, "are you specially at home?"
"Why?" asked Julius, pausing.
"There's that man Gadley."
"Gadley! Is he down?"
"It seems that he has been ill this fortnight, but in the low,
smouldering form; and he and that hostler of his kept it a secret,
for fear of loss of gain, and hatred of doctors, parsons, Sisters,
and authorities generally, until yesterday, when the hostler made
off with all the money and the silver spoons. This morning early, a
policeman, seeing the door open, went in, and found the poor wretch
in a most frightful state, but quite sensible. I was passing as he
came out to look for help, and I have been there mostly ever since.
He is dying--M'Vie says there's not a doubt of that, and he has got
something on his mind.
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