The
physicians came--three in number--but manifested no eagerness to
approach the patient closely. The mere sight of him was enough to
lead them to the decision that he was afflicted with the plague
in a singularly virulent form.
Presently one of them plucked up courage so far as to feel the
pulse of the apparently delirious patient. Its feebleness
confirmed his diagnosis; moreover the hand he held was cold and
turgid. He was not to know that Sir Walter had tightly wrapped
about his upper arm the ribbon from his poniard, and so he was
entirely deceived.
The physicians withdrew, and delivered their verdict, whereupon
Sir Lewis at once sent word of it to the Privy Council.
That afternoon the faithful Captain King, sorely afflicted by the
news, came to visit his master, and was introduced to Sir Walter's
chamber by Manourie, who was in attendance upon him. To the seaman's
amazement he found Sir Walter sitting up in bed, surveying in a
hand-mirror a face that was horrible beyond description with the
complacent smile of one who takes satisfaction in his appearance.
Yet there was no fevered madness in the smiling eyes. They were
alive with intelligence, amounting, indeed, to craft.
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