"Now lie quietly and do not attempt to speak," he commanded.
"You need all your strength."
"I do--to tell that which I wish to tell," gasped Mrs. Jasher,
trying to raise herself. "Sir Frank! Sir Frank!" Her voice
sounded hoarse and weak.
"Yes, Mrs. Jasher," said the young man, coming softly to the
bedside.
She thrust out a weak hand and clutched him.
"You must be my father-confessor, and hear all. You got the
emerald?"
"What!" Random recoiled in astonishment, "Did you--"
"Yes, I sent it to you as a wedding present. I was sorry and I
was afraid; and I--I--" She paused again, gasping.
The doctor intervened and gave her more brandy.
"You must not talk," he insisted severely, "or I shall turn Sir
Frank and Mr. Hope out of the room."
"No! no! Give me more brandy--more--more." and when the doctor
placed a tumbler to her lips, she drank so greedily that he had
to take the glass away lest she should do herself harm. But the
ardent spirit put new life into her, and with a superhuman effort
she suddenly reared herself in the bed.
"Come here, Hope--come here, Random," she said in a much
stronger voice. "I have much to tell you. Yes, I took the
emerald after dark and threw it into the sentry box when the man
wasn't looking.
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