I'm going home. I must have
rest and a respite. I must be by myself;" and he rapidly began to
sketch his experiences in Washington.
"Hold!" said the sensible old doctor, who indulged in only a few
strong exclamations of surprise, which did not interrupt the
speaker, "hold! You say you left the ward to think it over, after
being convinced that you had discovered Nichol. Did you think it
over quietly?"
"Quietly!" repeated Martine, with intense bitterness. "Would a
man, not a mummy, think over such a thing quietly? Judge me as you
please, but I was tempted as I believe never man was before. I
fought the Devil till morning."
"I thought as much," said the doctor, grasping Martine's hand,
then slipping a finger on his pulse. "You fought on foot too,
didn't you?"
"Yes, I walked the streets as if demented."
"Of course. That in part accounts for your exhaustion. Have you
slept much since?"
"Oh, Doctor, let me get through and go home!"
"No, Hobart, you can't get through with me till I am with you. My
dear fellow, do you think that I don't understand and sympathize
with you? There's no reason why you should virtually risk your
life for Captain Nichol again.
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