"What do you mean?" he demanded, almost shouted. "It's pretty plain, I should think. Didn't you hear what Simcox said? There's been a burglary; the—the safe's broken open——"
"The safe——?" she said, unconscious that she had spoken.
For a moment her eyes met his; then hers sank and she shuddered.
"Has anyone gone for the doctor?" she asked in a low voice.
"Yes, my lady," said Jenkins. "I've sent a groom for Doctor Scott; but I'm afraid——"
"Give me some water," she said tonelessly.
They brought her some and a sponge, and with a hand that was unnaturally calm, she wiped the blood from the old man's face and neck.
"Here, look here!" said Heyton, hesitatingly. "Do you think you ought to touch him, do anything till the doctor comes?"
She did not look at him, and continued her pitiful ministration. Heyton drew back from the bed, his eyes withdrawing themselves from his father's face slowly, as if fascinated.
"Has anything gone from the safe?" he asked.