"What has happened?" he asked faintly. Then his memory came back to him. "Oh, I remember. He has not escaped, Ellison?"
"Not he. We have him safe enough. But, oh, Murkard, to think that you should be wounded like this!"
"I told you what it would be, old man. This is the fulfilment of my prophecy. I knew it would come."
He moved his hand and let it fall to his side.
"I'm all wet," he went on, after a long pause. "By Jove! it's blood. Then it's hopeless. Well, I don't know that I'm sorry. But there is something else we have to do. When I came in he was burrowing behind that box there. Look for yourself. Don't bother about me."
He pointed to a box in the corner, and Ellison went towards it, and pulled it into the centre of the room.
"Nothing at all. Stay, there's a matchbox here."
"The pearl--the pearl! Here it is safe and sound!"
"I thought as much. The scoundrel! Now I can die happy. Give me some more whiskey."
Ellison thrust the pearl back into the safe, and then gave Murkard another drink of the spirit. It put fresh life into him for the moment.
"Ellison," he said, taking his friend's hand, "you've been a true friend to me."
"I have not been half as true a friend as you have been to me. My God, Murkard, is there nothing I can do for you until the doctor comes? I cannot let you die like this!"
"It's hopeless, old man. I can feel it. Let us talk while we have the chance. I want to tell you about that money. You see my family sent it to me, myself. They don't know you in the matter at all. I deceived you there. If you would like to pay it back and start afresh send it to them from me. Tell them, too,"--he paused,--"tell them, too,--that I died--doing my duty. Do you understand? It will surprise them, but I should like them to know it."
"They shall know that you died like a hero, giving your life for mine."
"Don't pile on the agony, old fellow. They'd not believe it; we're by nature a sceptical race. I don't want the matter turned to ridicule."
"Is there nothing I can do to make you easier?"
"Nothing, old man, except to give me more liquor. Thank you. I'm getting weaker every minute. I wonder what they'll do to that fellow Merton?"
"Hang him if I can do anything to forward it."
"Poor devil! And yet he was only sent into the world for this. Look, Ellison, bring him here for a minute--I must speak to him."