“There is where the danger lies,” said Plaxico. “The dagger that inflicted that wound penetrated the cavity of the lungs, and internal hemorrhage has resulted.”
Lottie, who had at all times been famous for her courage and self-possession under adverse circumstances, was now completely mastered by her grief. As soon as she recovered her self-possession, she implored the doctor to tell her the very worst.
“You need not be afraid to tell me the truth, doctor. Tell me candidly, is my brother mortally wounded or not?”
“Mrs. Demar, it is impossible for me to give anything like a reliable opinion just now, but, to be frank with you, I fear we may expect a fatal result.” Then, addressing Demar, he said, “Go to Miss Bramlett without delay and examine her wound, and see if anything can be done for her.”
“What a pity it is that such a pretty girl should be murdered by such a fiend as Ben Bowles!” observed George Woodburry, in a whisper to Captain Burk.
“Yes,” replied the captain; “she has lost her life in the attempt to save Wallingford.”
“Were they not engaged to be married?”
“Yes, though it was thought by Miss Bramlett’s friends that she had committed suicide in New York nearly a year ago. There appears to be some strange mystery connected with this business.”
“I wonder if she knew that Navarre was Harry Wallingford in disguise?”
“I am inclined to think she did; but I am of the opinion that he did not know that the lady of the black domino was Miss Bramlett.”