Part 38 (1/2)

”And when are you or I afraid of danger?”

Brilliana accepted this.

”Then I go with you.”

Instantly Evander paused.

”No, no,” he said.

Brilliana repeated his words.

”Why, when are you or I afraid of danger?”

There was a noise of running feet in the garden, and then Thoroughgood sped across the moat and into the room.

”Captain Halfman has been shot,” he gasped.

”Oh, by whom?” Brilliana wailed, her eyes wide with horror.

”Is he killed?” Evander asked.

Thoroughgood answered both in a breath.

”Badly wounded. They bring him here.”

As he spoke, Garlinge and Clupp entered from the garden, bearing Halfman between them, wrapped in Evander's mantle.

The man of gallant carriage, of swaggering alacrity, seemed to lie horribly limp in the men's arms. Evander hurriedly made a couch of chairs and bade them lay their burden on it, that he might examine the wound. Brilliana bent over him.

”Oh, my dear friend,” she sobbed.

The sound of her voice seemed to awaken Halfman. He opened his eyes.

”Lift me up,” he said, feebly, to his supporters. He looked at Brilliana. ”Lady, you have been deceived. Sir Randolph escaped from his enemies. A snare was set for Captain Cloud--” he paused.

”By whom?” cried Brilliana, the woman eager for her lover.

Something like a smile came to Halfman's face.

”That I may not say. I was privy to the plot. But I walked into the trap myself. I fear, sir, you will find a hole in your mantle.”

”You wore my cloak?” Evander asked, in wonder. ”You died for me?”

”Ah, why did you not warn?” Brilliana cried.

Halfman moved his head feebly.