“My God, Dolly!” exclaimed Vandover, “what’s happened to you?  You look like a death’s-head, man!  What’s gone wrong?  Aren’t you well?”

Haight caught his friend’s searching gaze, and for a moment they looked at each other without speaking.  There was no mistaking the fearful grief that smouldered behind Haight’s dull, listless eyes.  For a moment Vandover thought of Turner Ravis.  But even if she had turned him off, that alone would not account for his friend’s fearful condition of mind and body.

“What is it, Dolly?” persisted Vandover.  “We used to be pretty good chums, not so long ago.”

They sat down on the edge of the bed, and for a moment their positions seemed reversed:  Haight the one to be protected and consoled, Vandover the shielding and self-reliant one.

Young Haight passed his hand over his face before he answered, and Vandover noticed that his fingers trembled like an old man’s.

“Do you remember that night, Van, when you and Charlie and I all went out to Turner’s house, and we had tamales and beer, and a glass broke in that peculiar way, and I cut my lip?”

Vandover nodded, forcing his attention against the alcoholic fumes, to follow his friend’s words.

“We went down to the Imperial afterward,” Haight continued, “and ran into Ellis, and we had something more to eat.  Do you remember that as we sat there, Toby, the waiter, brought Flossie in, and she sat there with us a while?”

He paused, choosing his words.  Vandover listened closely, trying to recall the incident.

“She kissed me,” said young Haight slowly, “and the court-plaster came off.  You know I never had anything to do with women, Van.  I always tried to keep away from them.  But that’s where my life practically came to an end.”

“You mean—­” began Vandover.  “You mean—­that you—­that Flossie—?”

Haight nodded.

“Good God!  I can’t believe it.  It’s not possible!  I know Flossie!”

Haight shook his head, smiling grimly.

“I can’t help that, Van,” said he.  “There’s no denying facts, there’s no other possible explanation!  As soon as I knew, I went to the doctors here, and then I went to New York for treatment, but there’s no hope.  I didn’t know, you see.  I didn’t believe it possible.  Turner Ravis and I were engaged.  I waited too long!  There’s only one escape for me now.”  His voice dropped, he stared for a moment at the floor.  Then he straightened up, and said in a different tone, “But, damn it, Van, let’s not talk about it!  I’m haunted with the thing day and night.  I want to talk to you!  I want to talk to you seriously.  You know you are ruining yourself, old man!”