The old man hesitated; he had apparently been charged to break the news gradually. Finally he said: "His Excellency, Herr von Wallmoden, is at the castle, and the Frau Baroness also."
"My brother!" interrupted Regine with apprehension.
"Yes, gracious lady. His Excellency fell out of the carriage, and now he lies there unconscious, which means to the physician we called in great haste that the matter is dangerous."
"In God's name! we must go at once, Moritz," cried the frightened lady.
Herr von Schonan had already grasped the bell rope and pulled it.
"The carriage as quick as possible!" he cried to the servant. "How did it happen, Stadinger? Tell us what you know."
"The Herr Baron was coming from Ostwalden with the gracious lady, intending to come to Furstenstein," responded Stadinger. "The road, you know, leads through the Rodeck tract not far from the castle. Our Forester, who was with some of his subordinates in the Wald, fired a few shots, and a wounded deer dashed across the road in wild flight just by the carriage. The horses took fright and ran--the driver could not hold them. The two Foresters who saw it ran after them. They heard the Frau Baroness beg her husband: 'Remain seated. Herbert! for God's sake, no, do not jump,' but His Excellency seemed to have lost his head entirely. He tore the door open and jumped. At the wild pace they were going he fell, of course, with full force, and against a tree. The driver succeeded in bringing his horses to a standstill not far at a bend of the road. The Frau Baroness, who was not hurt, hastened to the place of misfortune as quickly as possible, and she found the poor gentleman there seriously injured and unconscious. The Forester's people carried him to Rodeck, which was near by. Herr Rojanow has looked after everything that could be done at the moment, and now he sends me to bring you the news."
It was natural that under the pressure of this heart-rending news the recent bitter family quarrel should cease instantly. In great haste they made ready for departure. Antonie was called and informed, and as soon as the carriage drove up the Chief Forester and his sister-in-law hastened downstairs.
Willibald, who followed with Stadinger, detained him on the steps for a moment and asked in a low tone: "Has the doctor given his opinion? Do you know anything more about it?"
The old man nodded sadly, and answered also in low tones: "I stood near when Herr Rojanow asked him in the ante-room. There is no hope--the poor Excellency will not live through the day."