Evening star., 1907-10-22
CHAPTER XII.
Broken Wings,

III was horrible TO StanQ lnere III IHe
darkness. looking helplessly around and
trying to locate the direction from which
the call came. 1t was horrible. too. to
listen to the mumbling and snarling Of
tho dog, just as IL he were worrying a
bone. Vera clung terrified to Lord
Ravenspur 1t was in vain that the lat
ter whisted and called to the dog.
I'VE must have a light here" he said
hoarsely. There is no other way OF dis
covering where the trouble lies. Fool
that was not to think of 1t be ore. That
man Perks has lantern
Ravenspur strode back to the house
again and yelled aloud for Perks and his
lantern.
What is wrong?" Venables demanded.
"Oh. you'll see soon enough" Raven
spur said grimly. For heavens sake
less 1 am greatly mistaken. our troubles
are over as far as the italian Is con-
cerned. Bruno has got hold Of him
They all raced together down the gar
den path In the direction OF the gate.
There was no mistaking where the trou-
BILE lay. for that mumbfng snarl was
close at hand now. 1t seemed to proceed
from the foot of tree. Even Perks.
hardened as he was, shuddered and
turned pale as the shining disc of the Ian
voting that Perks staggered back
Take the young lady away. sir he
said This Is no place for her. You go
back to the house. and leave Lord Raven
spur to carry this poor chap back again.
We can't tackle the dog unless there is
some one here who knows him."
One glance at the prostrate body and
venables turned away without further
question. Obviously Perks was right. and
assuredly 1t was no place for Vera. Silva
lay there on the broad Of his back. his
arms thrown out. and crouched upon his
body was the enormous weight of the dog.
The pressure In itself was enough to
cause suffocation. But the mischief lay
in the terrible cash in the throat where
the hounds teeth had met. Bruno
crouched there now with evil bloodshot
eyes: a long. deep terrifying growl came
steadily and persistently. Perks drew
cautiously near.
well. II this doesn't beat everything"
he said. why. there are two bodies.
One Of them is Mr.. Lance"
THAT Is the cause Of all the mischief,
as you will see presently. Ravenspur ex-
planned. Never mind about my nephew
taken, there is very little the matter with
him. But this poor fellow Is In different
condition altogether"
AS he spoke Ravenspur stepped forward
and gave Bruno a tremendous blow with
stick. which he had pulled from the
hedgeside. At the same time he uttered
few words In harsh tone. and I'M
mediately the dog skunk away and crossed
the road His tail was between his legs
now, his attitude one Of deep detection.
II will deal with him presently.
Ravenspur went on. You take the head
and I'll take the feet. and We'll get this
poor fellow back to the house again. 1t is
terrible business altogether. but. mind
you. that dog Is not very much to blame.
AS far as I can make out. what has hap
10 fhis. Qf1va N q pnd tO drug
nephew. and was getting his body out OF
the way when he accidentally came In
contact with the dog. And If there Is one
human being more than another to whom
nephew. The dog would scent him at
once. and well. the rest you can
imagine
They conveyed the unconscious body Of
Silva upstairs and laid him on bed.
Once Walter had been brought under
cover also. there was only one thing to be
done, and that was to send for doctor
without delay. 1t was obvious enough to
Ravenspur and his companions that
Silva's wounds were exceedingly critical.
The throat seemed to be almost bitten
away. The man had lost a deal Of blood
He lay there absolutely UNCONSCIOUS. His
swarthy features were deadly pale. 1t
was impossible to say whether he
breathed or not.
You leave the doctor to me-" Perks
said IT know the neighborhood. I can
be back here well within the hour
The doctor came at length. He shook
his head seriously after he had made his
examination
'Oh. Of course. recovery IS possible" he
said: whilst there Is life there Is always
hope But IL this man pulls round it will
be little less than a miracle. How did It
happen?'
There was nothing for 1t but to explain.
After all. 1t would be more or less i'm
possible to avoid the scandal now. But
nothing was said as to the real cause of
the accident. nor did Ravenspur deem 1T
prudent to ask the doctors advice as to
the best thing to do with Walter.
ness?' he asked.
THAT is quite possible the doctor re-
piled. He has a splendid constitution.
and possibly may itnger on for some days.
He can take no direct nourishment. OF
course. But medical science can do so
much nowadays in the way Of fnjec-
tions I shouldn't be at all surprised If
my patient were able to give an account
of what has happened. But in all human
proba bilty he will be in his grave before
the week is out. And now will you leave
1t to me to obtain nurse. or would you
like to send one Of your ownT
On the whole it would be better to
leave 1t to the doctor. Ravepspur thought.
An hour OF so passed and the nurse was
established In the SICK room. 1t was now
getting toward daylight. but no one
Thought of rest or sleep. There was MOTH
Ing for 1t but to make the best of the ex-
traordinary situation: nothing for 1t but
to remain where they were and explain
as we'll as they could to the servants
when they came back in the morning.
Vera flung herself down upon a couch in
the drawing room and closed her eyes.
She was tired and worn out, though 1t
seemed to her that sleep was impossible.
Nevertheless. when she came to herself
again the sunshine wa3 streaming into
the room, the birds were singing noisily
in the trees outside. On the lawn Raven
spur was walking up and down In grave
consultation with Venables. Presently
Vera saw Walter join the group. He
looked dreadfully white and haggard; his
head was bent and his step was shaky.
A thrill of thankfuiness passed over her.
She had never hoped to see him walk
again. AS Vera left the drawing room
and crossed the hall a maid-servant
| looked at her curiously. Vera advanced
with a smile.
Il am afraid we have greatly distressed
YOU" she said. "But perhaps you al
ready know exactly what has happened?
His lordship explained to me. miss.
the girl said timidly. Il understand that
| my new master is friend of yours. You
were coming down to see him and a great
| dog attacked him.
| Yes. that is So" Vera said, relieved to
| find that she had to make no prevarica-
| ton And now. If you will be so good.
you might show me to a bedroom, where
I can wash"
The maid seemed to anticipate such a
| reaueSt for she led the WAY uD the stairs