The words had barely left his lips.
Suddenly, Arthur Lindsey broke into a fit of harsh coughing, "cough, cough, cough——"
He hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand, and upon opening it, a glaring streak of fresh blood lay upon his palm.
"Mr. Lindsey..." Dilbert Walker was terrified, trembling as he stammered, "Y-you're... coughing up blood!"
"Quick, get him to lie down."
Alexander Stuart signaled for Dilbert Walker to help, and together they gently moved Arthur Lindsey from the head of the bed to lie flat on his back.
Then, with practiced efficiency, Alexander Stuart took out the disinfectant and cotton swabs kept aside and cleaned the patch of blood from Arthur Lindsey's hand.
"Alexander, is Arthur okay?" An anxious Dilbert Walker asked, seeing Arthur Lindsey slowly close his eyes without a word.