MRS. HOLLAND rallied from her swoon and Marya helped her to rise as Zonia shouted joyfully: “Come quick! He’s alive—he’s alive!”
Billy opened his eyes feebly and raised his hand to the ugly wound in his breast. Zonia caught it, bent and kissed him.
Mrs. Holland staggered to the group and knelt by their side.
“Oh—my boy—you’ll live—I feel it—I know it. God has heard my prayer—”
She paused and turned to Marya—
“Go, darling, quick—bring some water and tell Peter to come.”
Marya darted across the lawn, entered the house, summoned Peter and seized a glass of water.
In ten minutes the faithful old butler had carried Billy from the lawn and was leading the stricken group toward the road for New York.
Vassar’s trick succeeded. He reached his post without interference, thrust Virginia into the edge of the dense hedgerow and waited until the guards had returned to their places. Not a moment was to be lost.
He seized her hand and rushed down the street lit by the glare of burning houses.