Ronald began to search in his pockets and finally drew it forth.  He opened it and gave it to Avery who held it to the twitching lips.

Sir Beverley drank and closed his eyes.  “I shall be—­better soon,” he said, in a choked whisper.

Avery waited, supporting him as strongly as she could, listening to the short laboured breathing with deep foreboding.

“Couldn’t I run down to the Abbey for help?” suggested Julian, who had succeeded at length in tying the chafing animal to a tree.

Avery considered.  “I don’t know.  How far is it?”

“Not more than a mile.  P’r’aps I should find Piers there.  I’m sure I’d better go,” the boy urged, with his eyes on the deathly face.

And after a moment Avery agreed with him.  “Yes, I think perhaps you’d better.  Gracie and Pat might go for Dr. Tudor meanwhile.  I do hope you will find Piers.  Tell him to bring two men, and something that they can carry him on.  Jeanie dear, you run home to your mother and tell her how it is that we shall be late for tea.  You won’t startle her, I know.”

They fell in with her desires at once.  There was not one of them who would not have done anything for her.  And so they scattered, departing upon their several missions, leaving Ronald only to share her vigil by the old Squire’s side.

For a long time after their departure, there was no change in Sir Beverley’s state.  He lay propped against Avery’s arm and Ronald’s knee breathing quickly, with painful effort, through his parted lips.  He kept his eyes closed, but they knew that he was conscious by the heavy frown that drew his forehead.  Once Avery offered him more brandy, but he refused it impatiently, and she desisted.

The deathly pallor had, however, begun to give place to a more natural hue, and as the minutes passed his breathing gradually grew less distressed.  Once more his eyes opened, and he stared into Avery’s face.

“Help me—­to sit up!” he commanded.

They did their best, he struggling with piteously feeble efforts to help himself.  Finally he managed to drag himself to a leaning position on one elbow, though for several seconds thereafter his gasping was terrible to hear.

Avery saw his lips move several times before any sound came from them.  At length, “Send—­that boy—­away!” he gasped out.

Avery and Ronald looked at each other, and the boy got to his feet with an undecided air.

“Do you hear?  Go!” rapped out Sir Beverley.

“Shall I, Avery?” whispered Ronald.

She nodded.  “Yes, just a little way!  I’ll call you if I want you.”

And half-reluctantly Ronald obeyed.

“Has he gone?” asked Sir Beverley.

“Yes.”  Avery remained on her knees beside him.  He looked as if he might collapse at any moment.

For awhile he lay struggling for breath with his face towards the ground; then very suddenly his strength seemed to return.  He raised his head and regarded her piercingly.