The Price He Paid — page 198: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A SICK-BED CONFESSION. 189 presses. Going upto the bed, he bent over the patient, who suddenly awoke and opened his eyes, apparently in possession of full consciousness. “How do you feel yourself, my dear sir?” asked the little doctor, in a very gentle tone. “Pretty well, thank you,” replied the sick man, whose roving eyes seemed to be seeking something. “What has been the matter with me?” “You have been badly wounded; but make your mind easy—lI! will do all that can be done. You are in good hands.” : Max, having searched the whole room without finding what he sought, now turned his attention to the speaker, and calmly surveyed him. . “A colleague, I presume?” said he. “Whom have I the honor——” “My name is Berndt,” replied his brother practi- tioner. “His excellency the governor, who has shown the greatest sympathy for you during your illness, would have sent his own physician. My distinguished friend, Dr.——, is, however, unfor- tunately indisposed himself, so I, as his assistant, have undertaken the case. But you must not talk, nor, above all, move; answer my questions by signs if you find it difficult to speak. You are low and exhausted, and require the utmost——” He stopped aghast, for the condemned man, hav- ing pulled himself together with a vigorous jerk, sat bolt upright, and asked, in a voice which was any- thing but faint: “What has become of my nurse? She used to stay with me always.” “Fraulein Moser, do you mean? She has gone to cet a little rest, after having watched by your bed- side all night. You have indeed been nursed with devoted care. That young lady is an angel of | mercy.” | “Mercy?” repeated Max, with protracted em- phasis. “Yes, as yousay, a too intimate acquain- tance with the pavement of your agreeable town has thrown me on the mercy of mankind. Confounded misuse of paving-stones to shy them at people’s heads!” Eomichboo <S (E(0)