Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/810

242 speaker stood, as if in hiding. It was the escaped convict. He was deeply excited.

"I wanted to prepare you for a surprise before you went into the house," said the convict.

"Why, what do you mean?" asked Ralph.

"I mean Farrington!" cried the convict. "He is there."

"Impossible!" exclaimed Ralph

"No, it is true."

"How did he happen to come here?"

"A man driving a covered wagon brought him. Farrington was sick, dying. The other man carried him into the house and said he would hurry for a doctor."

"When was this?" asked Ralph.

"Two hours ago. I have not shown myself to Farrington yet. The man is certainly in a dying condition."

"I had better investigate affairs," said Ralph, and he proceeded to the house.

Gasper Farrington lay on a wretched cot in a little bedroom. Ralph was amazed at the change in the magnate since he had last seen him. Farrington was thin, pale and weak. He was gasping painfully for breath, and groaned wretchedly as he recognized his visitor."

"Why, Mr. Farrington," said Ralph, "you are a very sick man."