Etruria sprang to her feet. She stepped back as if the ground had opened before her.
“I’m not—hurt,” Colet added weakly.
But it was evident that he was hurt, even if no bones were broken. When they came to lift him he could not stand, and he seemed to be uncertain where he was. After watching him a moment, “He should see a doctor,” said the man who had come up so opportunely. “Petch,” he continued, addressing his companion, who wore a gamekeeper’s dress, “we must carry him to the trap and get him down to Brown Heath. Who is he, do you know? He looks like a parson.”
“He’s Mr. Colet of Riddsley,” Mary said.
The man turned and looked at her. “Hallo!” he exclaimed. And then in the same tone of surprise, “Miss Audley!” he said. “At this time of night?”
Mary collected herself with an effort. “Yes,” she said, “and very fortunately, for if we had not been here the men would have murdered him. As it is, you share the credit of saving him, Lord Audley.”
“The credit of saving you is a good deal more to me,” he answered gallantly. “I did not think that we should meet after this fashion.”
CHAPTER XI
TACT AND TEMPER
He looked at Etruria, and Mary explained who she was.
“I am afraid that she is hurt.”