"If you please, sir," he said, in gasps, "your little maid has been and got killed!"
"My little maid?" Sir John questioned. "Which maid? I did not know any of the servants were out."
"No, not any servant, sir; but your little maid, Miss Dorothy."
"My daughter!" he almost screamed. And he staggered up against the porch and hugged one of the pillars for support.
"Thrown from her horse, sir, down agin Treliskey Plantation," the boy went on. "Molly Udy says she reckons her neck's broke."
Sir John did not reply, however. He could only stand and stare at the boy, half wondering whether he was awake or dreaming.
CHAPTER III
A NEW SENSATION
Ralph Penlogan's first impulse was to rush off into St. Goram and rouse the village; but on second thoughts he dropped on his knees by the side of the prostrate girl, and placed his ear close to her lips. For a moment or two he remained perfectly still, with an intent and anxious expression in his eyes; then his face brightened, and something like a smile played round the corners of his lips.