"
"I--I feel awful," Truax groaned.
The dose was repeated, but the patient continued to grow worse. His nausea
was overwhelming and he vomited over and over. In an interval of quiet the
doctor leaned over him.
"Have you anything on your mind, man? Any wrong you'd like to set straight
before--before--"
A look of fright came into Truax's eyes.
"Doctor, I--I wonder if Jack Benson would come to see me?"
"I'll see," replied the doctor, rising and leaving the "sick bay."
Ten minutes later the naval surgeon returned with Benson. Hal Hastings,
Mr. Mayhew and Ensign Trahern followed Jack and the doctor.
"Here's Mr. Benson, Truax," announced Doctor McCrea. "If there's anything
you wish to confess, the rest of us can bear witness and help straighten
matters out if you've done any wrong that you now regret."
Sam Truax feebly stretched out a hand that was hot and dry.
"Benson, will you give me your hand?"
"Certainly."
"Can you ever forgive me?" moaned the man.
"Why, what have you done?" asked Jack.
"That assault back in Dunhaven--"
"Was it you who knocked me out there?" demanded Benson sharply.
"Yes." In a shaking voice Truax confessed the details of the affair and
from that passed to Jack's trip to the suburbs of Annapolis.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199