Page:On to Pekin.djvu/201

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THE SPY IN THE RIVER
177

Gilbert to go for the doctor she had mentioned; and, receiving directions as to where the medical man lived, the young lieutenant hurried off, through a lane to the rear of the warehouse. As he ran along, he heard several shells whistling through the air; but none came down in that immediate vicinity.

Reaching the doctor's residence, his message was quickly delivered; and Dr. Fairchild returned with him to Amos Bartlett's home. It was found that the tea-merchant had again recovered consciousness; but he was now in a fever, and talked wildly.

"This is a bad case," whispered the doctor to Gilbert. "He may be paralyzed, and that blow on the head may affect his brain. I will do my best for him, but you know as well as I that his age is greatly against him."

"Yes, do your best by all means," answered the young officer. "I hope he recovers entirely, for the sake of his wife and daughter."

Gilbert remained with the family for an hour longer; and during that time the Chinese servant came sneaking back, and began to put the house in order. "Welly muchee flightened me," said the ser-