"The dog's not mad," panted George. "You lead the way."
"Yes, yes," cried Gertrude.
"I think I can hold him. Stand on one side, and be ready to shut the
window to as soon as I get him outside."
"I'm ready," said Gertrude, with a calm display of courage which brought
forth an admiring glance.
"Then stand clear."
Removing his knee, George Harrington dragged the dog quickly along the
carpet, and out on to the lawn. The window was closed, and Gertrude ran
to his side.
"This way," she cried; and running to the side of the house she drew
open a door in the wall, through which, after another fierce struggle,
the dog was dragged, the door banged to, and then Gertrude ran across
the yard and opened the stable door.
"Pray, pray, mind he doesn't bite you," she cried in agony.
"No fear; I've got him too tightly; besides he hasn't tried. By Jove!
he has got his strength again, and no mistake. There, sir, you're
mastered."
As he spoke, he gave his captive a swing forward, dashed back, and
closed the door, just as the dog bounded at it, and tore at the panel,
baying furiously.
"Well, I'm in a nice state. But that Saul Harrington! He and the dog
must be bad friends."
"Yes," said Gertrude, with her voice trembling and deep from agitation,
"but you--you are hurt."
"Not in the least," he said, catching the hands extended to him in an
imploring way. "No, not hurt. So full of happiness to hear you speak
like that."
"Mr Harrington!" she faltered.
"Yes, George Harrington, indeed, indeed," he cried, with his voice
sounding deep and emotional.
"Let us make haste back," she cried, hurriedly opened the door in the
wall, trembling, troubled, pleased--she could not define her sensations;
and it was with a sense of relief that she found Mrs Hampton coming
toward them.
"Is that dreadful dog locked up safely?" she cried.
"Yes, quite safe; but I had a terrible fight with his lordship," said
George Harrington, coming to his companion's help. "No fear of his
getting well now."
"He must have gone mad."
"No; only towards Mr Saul Harrington, I'm afraid."
They hurried back to the drawing-room, to become conscious of a hoarse,
panting sound, and a low angry muttering from the couch, where the two
old men were feebly struggling with Saul Harrington.
"Quick! Help here!" said the old lawyer.
George Harrington sprang to them, and pinned Saul down to the couch,
from which he vainly struggled to rise.
"You had better go, ladies," cried the young man.
"Can I be of any use?" said Gertrude calmly. "Doctor Lawrence knows how
I can help."
"Yes, help me," said the old man. "Can you hold him?"
"Oh, yes; I have him fast for the present."
Doctor Lawrence hurried to a table, took out his pocket-book, and wrote
a prescription, tore out the pencilled leaf, and gave it to Gertrude.
"Send and get that made up for me," he said hastily.
Gertrude flew from the room, and the doctor hastened to help keep the
patient within bounds.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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