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。