Half way to Moreton, Daniel passed the doctor hastening on horseback to Hangman’s Hut. The medical man stopped a moment, directed Minnie how to place her arm that her pain might be lessened, and then rode forward again.
The husband and wife hardly spoke upon the journey into Moretonhampstead, and it was Minnie’s turn to succumb as the grey, snug shelter of the cottage hospital came before her eyes. A minute later she was carried out of the car, and within an hour her broken arm had been set, and she found herself in a comfortable bed with kind hands busy for her.
In the afternoon of that day Daniel, who had slept for six hours and taken plenty of useful nourishment, came to spend a little while with his wife. He found her light-headed, and only stopped five minutes. He felt the greatest alarm, but those in attendance on the case assured him there was no need to do so.
Next morning Minnie was better, and Daniel’s visit went far to restore the even tenor of her mind and customary, patient self-control.
“They brought Sim here last night,” he said. “Mr Vivian went up himself and fetched the man down with the doctor in the motor-car. And they tell me that at midnight Sim came to his senses. He’ve got a concussion of the brain; but his head-bones ban’t cracked, thanks to you; an’ he’s very likely to live.”
CHAPTER XXI
JOHNNY BEER’S MASTERPIECE
Minnie Sweetland had no time to lose, for well she understood that the police would not wait her pleasure. It behoved her, if possible, instantly to prove her husband’s innocence, and, in order to do so, certain witnesses and a magistrate, before whom they could testify upon oath, were necessary. On the night of the catastrophe, before she slept, Daniel’s wife was permitted to see Mrs Prowse, the widow who had attended to Rix Parkinson during his last hours; and this woman, familiar with the truth, promised to do all that was right before the following day. Finally, the wife obtained a physician’s solemn promise that the police should not take her husband until Sir Reginald Vivian was familiar with the circumstances; then, knowing that Dan was safe, she slept. But her repose proved fitful and broken by pain. Thankfully she welcomed dawn and gladly prepared for an ordeal now hastening upon her.