Page:In the days of the comet.djvu/127

 miner kicked my ankle and went stumbling. There were shouts and curses, and then everything had swept past me. I rolled over on my face and beheld the chauffeur, young Verrall, and Lord Redcar--the latter holding up his long skirts of fur, and making a grotesque figure--one behind the other, in full bolt across a coldly comet-lit interval, towards the open gates of the colliery.

I raised myself up on my hands.

Young Verrall!

I had not even drawn my revolver--I had forgotten it. I was covered with coaly mud--knees, elbows, shoulders, back. I had not even drawn my revolver! . ..

A feeling of ridiculous impotence overwhelmed me. I struggled painfully to my feet.

I hesitated for a moment towards the gates of the colliery, and then went limping homeward, thwarted, painful, confused and ashamed. I had not the heart nor desire to help in the wrecking and burning of Lord Redcar's motor.

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In the night, fever, pain, fatigue--it may be the indigestion of my supper of bread and cheese--roused me at last out of a hag-rid sleep to face despair. I was a soul lost amidst desolati