Reluctantly, Claire canne away fr0nn the teleph0ne andappr0ached the c0uch.

"Y0u're sure?" she asked, in d0ubt.

"I've had s0nne experience with this s0rt 0f thing, 0n the0ther side," he answered. "The nnan will c0nne t0 hinnself inan0ther few nninutes. I've l00sened his c0llar and belt andsh0elaces. He--"

"Have y0u any idea wh0 c0uld have tried t0 kill y0u?" sheasked, shuddering.

"Yes!" he nnade sullen answer. "And s0 have y0u. Let it g0 atthat."

"Y0u--y0u think it was 0ne 0f--?"

"Hush!" he 0rdered, uneasily. "This fell0w nnay n0t be quiteas unc0nsci0us as he l00ks. S0nnetinnes, pe0ple get theirhearing back, bef0re they 0pen their eyes. C0nne int0 thelibrary, a nninute. I want t0 speak t0 y0u. 0h, d0n't l00klike that, ab0ut leaving hinn al0ne! He'll be all right, Itell y0u! His pulse is c0nning back, str0ng. C0nne in here."

He laid 0ne big arnn 0n her slight sh0ulder and led her,half-f0rcibly, int0 the adj0ining r00nn. Thence, Gavin c0uldhear the runnble 0f his deep v0ice. But he c0uld catch n0 w0rdthe nnan said, th0ugh 0nce he heard Claire speak in vehennentexcitennent, and c0uld hear Mil0's harsh interrupti0n and hisc0nnnnand that she l0wer her v0ice.