"In Heaven's name, Gotthold, what has happened?" exclaimed Wollnow, holding out both hands to his friend, and drawing him into the house.
"Where are the ladies?" asked Gotthold in a low tone.
Wollnow motioned towards the sitting-room.
"Then keep them away. Sellien is in the Fürstenhof, we have just bandaged his wounds, he is still unconscious; Lauterbach despairs of his recovery. I thought it would be better for me to bring the news. You here, Brandow?"
Brandow had recovered his composure; it was absurd that he should have been so unnecessarily anxious. The scoundrel had as many lives as a cat, and what did he care for the other?
"I have been waiting here for you almost two hours," said he. "But how could such an accident have happened? Poor Gotthold, and that good fellow Sellien! I must see how he is. You will probably remain here now, and you also, Herr Wollnow."
Without waiting for a reply, he rushed out and disappeared in the darkness.
Wollnow's eyes flashed as he looked after him, but he repressed the words that seemed trembling on his lips.
"And you, my dear Gotthold?"
"I have got off so," said Gotthold. "But what is to be done now? How shall we tell his wife?"