A minute later George’s pallid face appeared at the back door:  “You come in here quick and help me,” he demanded.

“What’s the matter?” asked Kate.

“He’s fainted.  His heart, I think.  He’s got everything that ever ailed a man!” he said.

“Oh, George, you shouldn’t have touched him,” said Kate.

“Can’t you see it will make me, if I can help him!  Even Mother could see that,” he cried.

“But if his heart is bad, the risk of massaging him is awful,” said Kate as she hurried after George.

Kate looked at the man on the table, ran her hand over the heart region, and lifted terrified eyes to George.

“Do you think —?” he stammered.

“Sure of it!” she said, “but we can try.  Bring your camphor bottle, and some water,” she cried to Mrs. Holt.

For a few minutes, they worked frantically.  Then Kate stepped back.  “I’m scared, and I don’t care who knows it,” she said.  “I’m going after Dr. James.”

“No, you are not!” cried George.  “You just hold yourself.  I’ll have him out in a minute.  Begin at his feet and rub the blood up to his heart.”

“They are swollen to a puff, he’s got no circulation,” said Kate.  “Oh, George, how could you ever hope to do anything for a man in this shape, with muscular treatment?”

“You keep still and rub, for God’s sake,” he cried, frantically.  “Can’t you see that I am ruined if he dies on this table?”

“No, I can’t,” said Kate.  “Everybody would know that he was practically dying when he came here.  Nobody will blame you, only, you never should have touched him!  George, I am going after Dr. James.”

“Well, go then,” he said wildly.

Kate started.  Mrs. Holt blocked the doorway.

“You just stop, Missy!” she cried.  “You’re away too smart, trying to get folks in here, and ruin my George’s chances.  You just stay where you are till I think what to do, to put the best face on this!”

“He may not be really gone!  The doctor might save him!” cried Kate.

Mrs. Holt looked long at the man.

“He’s deader ’an a doornail,” she said.  “You stay where you are!”

Kate picked her up by the shoulders, set her to one side, ran from the room and down the street as fast as possible.  She found the doctor in his office with two patients.  She had no time to think or temporize.

“Get your case and come to our house quick, doctor,” she cried.  “An old man they call Peter Mines came to see George, and his heart has failed.  Please hurry!”

“Heart, eh?” said the doctor.  “Well, wait a minute.  No use to go about a bad heart without digitalis.”

He got up and put on his hat, told the men he would be back soon, and went to the nearest drug store.  Kate followed.  The men who had been in the office came also.

“Doctor, hurry!” she panted.  “I’m so frightened.”