He was interrupted by a message from the guide that there was a cloud
in the distance, and the young Herr had better set off quickly unless
he wished to be weather-bound.
Johnny was on his feet as soon as there was a step on the stairs, and
was congratulated on his ready powers of sleeping.
"It's in the family," said Jock. "His brother Rob went to sleep in
the middle of the examination for his commission."
"Then I should think he could sleep on the rack," said Cecil.
"I'm sure I wish I could," rejoined Jock.
"What a sell for the torturers, to get some chloroform!" said John.
And so Cecil departed amid laughter, which gave John little idea how
serious the talk had been in his absence.
The rain came on even more rapidly than the guide had foretold, and
it was a drenched and dripping object that rode into the court of the
tall hotel at Leukerbad, and immediately fell into the hands of Dr.
Medlicott and Reeves, who deposited him ignominiously in bed, in
spite of all his protestations and murmurs. However, he had the
comfort of hearing that his little fag was recovering from the
exhaustion of the journey. He had at first been so faint that the
doctor had watched, fearing that he would never revive again, and he
had not yet attempted to speak; but his breathing was certainly
already less laboured, and the choking, struggling cough less
frequent.
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