"It is my mother--my poor mother," cried Kaituna, in an agony of sorrow. "Have you caught him? Have you caught him?"
"Who?" shouted Maxwell and Belk, while Ferrari, in a paroxysm of grief, threw himself beside the body of the woman he loved.
"Dombrain!"
"Dombrain?"
"Yes! yes! he was here! he shot my mother with that pistol. He has just left the house."
"God!" cried Belk, starting, "he was the man we saw running down the street." And he was out of the room in pursuit without saying another word.
"A doctor! a doctor!" said Kaituna, imploringly, "Oh, Archie! she will die, she will die!"
"Stella adora!" moaned the Italian, covering the cold white hand with kisses.
"A doctor will be here in a few minutes," said Maxwell, approaching the unconscious form of Mrs. Belswin; "the servant has gone for one. Ferrari, help me to place her on the sofa!"
But Ferrari could do nothing but tear his hair, and cry endearing words in Italian to the woman he loved; so Kaituna, pale as marble, but wonderfully brave, helped Archie to place Mrs. Belswin on the sofa. She was breathing heavily, and Maxwell, tearing open her dress, strove to staunch the blood with his handkerchief, while Ferrari remained on his knees, and Kaituna stood beside him with clasped hands.