“I’m very sorry to cause you suffering, but ‘self-preservation is the first law of nature,’ you know,” Earle answered, as he stepped quickly to the bell-cord and gave it a violent pull.
In less than five minutes a servant appeared in answer to the summons.
“Here, Robert,” Earle said, as composedly as if nothing had happened; “I have invited a stranger to stop with me for a little while. Lend a hand, and we will take him across the hall to the south suite; then I want you to go for Dr. Sargeant as quickly as possible.”
The burglar was borne to the rooms mentioned, but carefully as he was handled, he fainted during the removal, and was a long time regaining consciousness afterward.
The doctor arrived in about three-quarters of an hour, and, after much difficulty and probing, succeeded in extracting the ball. The ugly wound was then dressed, and the patient made as comfortable as possible.
As the physician was about departing, Earle sought him privately.
“If you please,” he said, “I would like nothing said about this affair. I do not wish to create any sensation, and the country will be alive with excitement if the events of to-night become known.”
“But, my lord, the man ought to be given up to justice,” said the physician, with a frown.
“No one knows better than yourself that he is no fit subject for justice now, nor will he be for a good while to come.”
“That is so. He’ll have a hard time of it before he gets through. The bone is shattered. There will be fever, and a great deal of pain; while if mortification sets in, he’ll get justice in another world.”