"God in Heaven!" his deep tones muttered. "You!"
Emotion mastered him and his voice vibrated as he asked,
"This woman--how did she come here?"
"She was a member of the committee which met there. You know what happened--the soldiers came. She was shot in escaping. You know who----?"
Their host held up his hand.
"No matter what I know. But I must save her. I must--must----"
With Rowland's help, he turned the injured woman, his long bony fingers quickly exposing the wound. The bullet had entered the side below the arm, and had passed through the muscles at the back.
"It is not so bad as I supposed," he muttered. "She has lost much blood but the hemorrhage has ceased."
He rose and crossed quickly to the washstand and brought a basin full of water and a clean towel.
"If you will wash the wound, Fräulein, I will get some dry clothing and medicine."