"I am afraid your wife will not thank you, Colonel," said the doctor, "for whoever comes must stay at least three days, and perhaps longer."
"You need not worry about that," replied the colonel. "Mrs. Ritter will gladly do more than give Trina's time if it will save the joiner."
Trina appeared sooner than they had thought it possible for her to get there, and she brought with her a basket of necessary supplies which she and Mrs. Ritter had in readiness for an emergency.
The doctor was much pleased. "Now, Colonel," he said, "please dismiss every one, and lock up the house for the night."
The policemen decided to put Joggi in jail until they could investigate matters. He walked along with them willingly, opening his hand occasionally and laughing at his gold piece.
Early the following morning Mrs. Ritter went to the home of the joiner to inquire after him. Trina met her at the door and said that toward morning the patient had recovered partial consciousness. The doctor had just left, she said, and had expressed his opinion that the man was doing better than he had dared to hope. "I have had to promise him," she added, "that I would let no one come into the room, not even my dear mistress."
"I am sure he is right about it," said Mrs. Ritter smiling. "I am glad to know that Andreas is in safe hands, and I will hurry home, so that my husband may know that he is doing well."
So eight days passed. Mrs. Ritter never failed to come every morning to inquire. She supplied Trina with whatever she needed. No one had yet been allowed in the sick room, and Trina was kept at her post.
Several days later the doctor gave his permission to have the colonel question Andreas in regard to the accident, as the police were anxious to know if he could give them any information.