The magistrate sat in an arm-chair, looking very ill. His face grew paler and more agitated as he glanced over the letter. It contained but two lines: "As misfortune has occurred and I am helpless, come quickly, and bring the doctor with you."
He sprang to his feet. "What has happened?" he asked, tremblingly.
"If it isn't in the letter, I--" Fedko began, hesitatingly.
"Speak out! I am to go to Borky, and take the doctor with me; so it surely cannot remain secret from me. The Jewess appears to be ill."
The coachman nodded, "Yes, very ill."
"Has she injured herself?"
The man was silent.
"Speak! how did this calamity take place? The doctor must take his necessary instruments."
"She fell into the lake."
"When?"