"Not dead, sir!" cried Bert excitedly. "She's come to life again."
"Indeed!" said the gentleman, in amazement. "A police officer called at my house last night and told me she was dead."
Then the doctor stepping out and closing the door behind him, lest their words should reach the ears of his patient, began to explain Bert's extraordinary statement.
The gentleman listened in astonishment. "I should have thought the policeman might have known," he said.
"So should I," said the doctor; "but—" He shrugged his shoulders expressively.
"Well, I am glad the poor girl still lives," said the gentleman. "Can I see her?"
The doctor shook his head. "I dare not risk the effect of excitement," he said.
"No doubt you are right," said the gentleman. "I must wait till another time. I am Lord Ravenscourt. The policeman brought me last night the diamond brooch found here, which the girl stole from my daughter."
He spoke quietly and sadly.
"Oh, sir!" broke in Bert, who stood between them, his tones quivering with emotion. "Please don't send Prin to prison! She's so sorry now that she took the brooch. She told me last night, before she died, as I thought, how sorry she was, and begged me to take the brooch back to Lady Millicent and ask her to forgive her. Oh, sir, will you ask Lady Millicent to forgive Prin? And if some one must go to prison, please let it be me!"