As we rolled smoothly along my companion urged me to give him an answer to the question of a speedy wedding. I could see his point of view; business matters in England claimed his attention; he also declared I must have an immediate change of climate. I begged to have a day or two to consider the question and to talk it over with Ronnie.
When we drove under the lattice-work porch I was amazed to find Mrs. Hodson on the steps. At a second glance I saw that she looked paler than ever and was evidently unnerved.
"There has been an accident to your brother," she began the instant the car stopped, "and I have come to fetch you," pointing to where her victoria was drawn up at the side of the bungalow.
"We can all go up in the motor," said Brian promptly, "it will take us there in five minutes. Please get in, Mrs. Hodson," and he made room for her.
Without a second's hesitation she accepted his offer, sat down beside me, and seized my hand. Then I knew for certain that the matter was serious; people invariably took me by the hand when tragedy was approaching.
"We have been searching for you since three o'clock. There was a bad outbreak this afternoon in your brother's ward. Several notorious characters fell upon others with whom they had a blood feud; they fought with their spades and mallets, and one powerful brute, a Moplah, wrenched off his irons and battered a warder to death. Your brother fought like ten heroes--so much for an English gentleman! Finally he overpowered the ringleader, but a cowardly blow on the back of his head struck him to the ground at the very moment when the riot was quelled. I am afraid Captain Lingard is badly hurt; he is in the infirmary, and besides the jail doctor we have sent for the civil surgeon. All that is possible has been done. He has a fine constitution and may recover--while there is life, there is hope." She paused for breath and added, inconsequently: "I am thankful that Captain Falkland is here."
For my own part I felt so utterly crushed that I was speechless. A five minutes' run had brought us to the jail, and at the entrance we were met by Mr. Hodson. We followed him in dead silence into the infirmary, and there, on a low cot behind a screen, we found Ronnie. One glance was sufficient to tell me that he had received his death blow. He would very soon be _free_!