“At any rate, I don’t know who stabbed him,” said Riley.
Cook now returned, and, leaving him in charge of Tony, Burt visited the “fence’s” bedside. Burt felt that he could safely trust Enoch to guard his prisoner, and his confidence was not misplaced.
As Burt entered the sick-chamber, he was met by the doctor, who gently forced him outside.
“The man is now conscious,” said the physician; “but, as I have already declared, his death is only a matter of a few hours.”
“Does he know I am in the house?”
“I told him there was an officer here.”
“Is he able to converse?”
“Oh, yes,” replied the doctor; “I wanted to say to you that I told him there was a slight chance of him recovering.”
“I should have told him the truth; it is cruel to deceive him.”
The physician colored.