Part 47 (1/2)

”I found him like this, sir, and came over to fetch you at once.”

”But she must be told.”

”John, John dear, are you there? I thought you had gone on to fetch Madelaine.”

Crampton rose hastily to try and bar the way; but he was too late. Mrs Van Heldre was at the door, and had caught a glimpse of the prostrate man.

”Doctor Knatchbull! what is the matter--a fit?”

The trouble was culminating, for another voice was heard in the gla.s.s corridor.

”Papa! papa! here is Mr Vine. He walked home with me. I made him come in. Oh, what a shame to be at work so late!”

”Keep her--keep her back,” gasped Mrs Van Heldre, and then with a piteous sob she sank down by Van Heldre's side.

”John, my husband! speak to me, oh, speak,” she moaned as she raised his head to her lap.

”Ah, you want Brother Luke to you, John Van,” cried Vine, as with Madelaine on his arm he came to the door of the inner room.

There was a moment's silence, and then Madelaine uttered a wild cry, and ran to her father's side.

”Good heavens! Crampton, what is it?” cried Vine excitedly,--”a fit?”

”No, sir, struck down by a villain--a thief--and that thief--”

Crampton stopped short in the midst of his excitement, for there was a heavy step now in the pa.s.sage, and the sergeant of police and one of his men came in.

”Yes. I've had my eye on a couple of strangers lately,” he said, as he took out a book and gave a sharp look round. ”P'r'aps Mr Crampton, sir, you'll give me the information I want.”

”Mr Crampton will give you no information at all,” said the keen-looking doctor angrily. ”The first thing is to save the man's life. Here, sergeant, and you, my man, help me to carry him up to his bed--or no--well, yes, he'll be better in his own room. Pray, ladies, pray stand aside.”

”Yes, yes,” cried Madelaine excitedly, as she rose. ”Mother, dear, we must be calm and helpful.”

”Yes; but--but--” moaned the poor woman.

”Yes, dearest,” cried Madelaine, ”afterwards. Dr Knatchbull wants our help.”

”Good girl,” said the doctor, nodding. ”Get the scissors, some old linen, and basin, sponge and water, in the bedroom.”

”Yes, doctor,” said Madelaine, perfectly calm and self-contained now.

”Mother, dear, I want your help.”

She knelt down and pressed her lips for a moment to her father's cheek, and then placed her arm round her mother, and led her away.

An hour later, when everything possible had been done, and Mrs Van Heldre was seated by her husband's pillow, Vine being on the other side holding his friend's hand, Madelaine showed the doctor into the next room.

”Tell me,” she said firmly. ”I want to know the truth.”

”My dear child,” said the doctor, ”You know all that I know. Some scoundrel must have been surprised by your father, and--”