"Whatever has happened?" he exclaimed.
He repeated the question several times before anyone answered, and by then the room was full. The chauffeur was sent back post-haste to the stables, with orders to drive for a doctor.
"How did it happen, John?" repeated Mr. Langton.
But the gamekeeper shook his head. He had the look of a man who is not completely master of his senses.
The Judge regarded his nephew.
"Carl," said he, "can you explain how this—accident occurred?"
"Certainly!" said von Hardenberg, who now realized, that to save himself, all his presence of mind was necessary.
"Then," said the Judge, "be so good as to do so."
"After my yesterday's interview with you," von Hardenberg began, in tones of complete assurance, "as you may imagine, I had several letters to write, and to-night I did not think of getting into bed till nearly twelve o'clock. Before I began to undress I went to the window and opened it. As I did so I saw a man cross the lawn and enter the woods. As his conduct was suspicious, I took him for a poacher. As quickly as possible I left the house and walked in the direction I knew the man had taken."
"Why did not you wake any of us?" asked the Judge, who was in his own element, and might have been examining a witness in the box.