BARKET. [_Looking._] What the devil is the row out there? [_Exit. Also one of the_ STAFF OFFICERS.
HAVERILL. [_Looking off._] What is this? Colonel West wounded!
_Enter_ KERCHIVAL WEST, _his coat thrown open, with_ ELLINGHAM, BARKET _assisting._
ELLINGHAM. Steady, Kerchival, old boy! You should have let us carry you.
KERCHIVAL. Nonsense, old fellow! It's a mere touch with the point of the knife. I--I'm faint--with the loss of a little blood--that's all. Bob!--I--[_Reels suddenly and is caught by_ ELLINGHAM _as he sinks to the ground, insensible._
ELLINGHAM. Kerchival! [_Kneeling at his side._
HAVERILL. Go for the surgeon! [_To_ STAFF OFFICER, _who goes out quickly on veranda._] How did this happen? [_Enter_ CORPORAL DUNN _and_ GUARD, _with_ THORNTON. _He is in his shirt sleeves and disheveled, his arms folded. They march down._] Captain Thornton!
ELLINGHAM. We were leaving the house together; a hunted animal sprang suddenly across our path, like a panther. [_Looking over his shoulder._] There it stands. Kerchival!--my brother!
CORPORAL DUNN. We had just brought this prisoner to bay, but I'm afraid we were too late.
HAVERILL. This is assassination, sir, not war. If you have killed him--
THORNTON. Do what you like with me; we need waste no words. I had an old account to settle, and I have paid my debt.
ELLINGHAM. General Haverill! I took these from his breast when he first fell. [_Handing up wallet and miniature to_ HAVERILL. HAVERILL _starts as he looks at the miniature._ THORNTON _watches him._
THORNTON. If I have killed him--your honour will be buried in the same grave.
HAVERILL. Her picture on his breast! She gave it to him--not to my son! [_Dropping into seat._ CAPTAIN LOCKWOOD _enters with a_ SIGNALMAN, _who has a burning torch on a long pole; he hurries up the elevation._ CAPTAIN LOCKWOOD _stands below, facing him. Almost simultaneously with the entrance of the_ SIGNALMAN, GERTRUDE _runs in on veranda._
GERTRUDE. They are calling for a surgeon! Who is it? Brother!--you are safe,--ah! [_Uttering a scream, as she sees_ KERCHIVAL, _and falling on her knees at his side._] Kerchival! Forget those last bitter words I said to you. Can't you hear my confession? I do love you. Can't you hear me? I love you! [_The_ SIGNALMAN _is swinging the torch as the curtain descends,_ LOCKWOOD _looking right._