"They are calling for your blood," he said, "but they do not know you killed your brother!—What! not touch my hand? Well, it is but justice.—I will not trouble you more."
With these words, he turned to depart, still holding the lamp; but had scarce moved his foot, before there was heard, at a little distance without, the sound, as it seemed, of a rifle, or other small arms.
"Oh Heaven! my father!" cried Hyland, starting up, with a voice that thrilled Elsie to the brain,—"I have killed my father!"
The lamp fell from Colonel Falconer's hands, and all was in darkness. As Hyland rushed to where he had stood, his foot struck against a prostrate body; and reaching down, he found his hand slipping in a puddle of warm blood.
"Elsie! Elsie!" cried the distracted youth, "a light for God's sake! It was meant for me, but it has struck my father! Why did I forget? Oh, I thought not of my folly.—Help me, Elsie—he groans."
"Enough,—let me lie where I am," said Falconer, with a voice almost inaudible. "There is retribution for all."
"Call the jailer!—Quick, jailer, quick!" cried Hyland, as the door opened, disclosing the broad and wondering visage of Hanschen: "help me to place him upon the bed; and then, oh for God's sake, quick for a surgeon!"
But Hanschen answered only by slapping to the door, without uttering a word; and making his way as fast as he could towards the cell of Sterling, in which was, at that moment, presented a scene of not less fearful character than that which had passed before Hyland's eyes.