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"I could do with a spot of dullness now and then," I said, rather wistfully

Involuntarily, I glanced at the bolted door, where I had propped Ian’s ht back from the storehouse when I had fetched hiun, but his pistols lay on the sideboard, loaded and primed as he had left theed beside theold and red on the rough-barked walls, and the air filled with the war scents of squirrel stew and pu oftea I brushed ht and hot--very hot still, in spite of thebark

Talking about Jamaica had at least distracted me a bit from my worry over Ian Headache was not an unusual syed headache was Meningitis and encephalitis were dangerous--and all too possible--complications of the disease

"How’s the head?" I asked

"A bit better," he said He coughed, eyes squinching shut as the spashtly, dark slits that gloith fever "I’m awfully hot, Auntie"

I slid off the trundle and went to wring out a cloth in cool water Ian stirred slightly as I wiped his face, his eyes closed once ave me amethysts to drink for the headache," he murmured drowsily

"A "You drank aar," he said "And pearls in sine, but that was for the bedding, she said" His face looked red and swollen, and he turned his cheek against the cool pillow, seeking relief "She was a great one for the stones, yon woman She burned powdered emeralds in the flame of a black candle, and she rubbed my cck wi’ a diamond--to keep it hard, she said"

There was a faint sound from the bed, and I looked up to see Lord John, raised up on one elbow, eyes wide

"And did the aently with the cloth

"The diamond did" He h, but it faded into a harsh, rasping cough

"No amethysts here, I’m afraid," I said "But there’s wine, if you want it" He did, and I helped him to drink it--well diluted ater--then eased him back on the pillow, flushed and heavy-eyed

Lord John had lain down, too, and lay watching, his thick blond hair unbound, spread out on the pillow behind him

"That’s what she wanted wi’ the lads, ye ken," Ian said His eyes were shut tight against the light, but he could clearly see so, if only in theto dry and crack, and his nose was beginning to run

"She said the stone grew in a lad’s innards--the one she wanted She said it h, that was iht, soh, and ended breathless, nose dripping I held a handkerchief for him to blow

"What did she want the stone for?" Lord John’s face bore a look of sympathy--he knew only too hat Ian felt like at the moment--but curiosity compelled the question I didn’t object; I wanted to know too

Ian started to shake his head, then stopped with a groan

"Ah! Oh, God, my head will split surely! I dinna ken, man She didna say Only that it was needful; she ot out the last word before dissolving into a coughing attack that was the worst yet; he sounded like a barking dog

"You’d better stop talk--" I began, but was interrupted by a soft thump at the door

Instantly I froze, wet cloth still in my hand Lord John leaned swiftly froh cavalry boots on the floor A finger to his lips to enjoin silence, he nodded toward Jarasped one, reassured by the smooth, solid heft of it in ly strong voice

There was no answer save a sort of scratching, and a faint whine I sighed and laid the pistol down, torn between irritation, relief and a, Ian"

"Are you sure?" Lord John spoke in a low voice, pistol still aiht be an Indian trick"

Ian rolled over with an effort, facing the door

"Rollo!" he shouted, his voice hoarse and cracking

Hoarse or not, Rollo knew his master’s voice; there was a deep, joyful "WARF!" froht so," I said, hurrying to open the door "Stop that, or I’llthis threat the attention it deserved, Rollo bounded past me into the room Exuberant with joy, he launched his hundred and fifty pounds from the middle of the floor and landed directly on the trundle bed, noring a strangled cry from the bed’s occupant, he proceeded to lick Ianup as a wholly inadequate defense to the slobbering onslaught

"Bad dog," Ian said, ling helplessly in spite of his disco, I say--down, sir!"