It was his last effort, as, struggling round, a light flashed into the room, and in that one second he saw above his breast the upraised knife of his adversary. The next instant there was a loud report, followed by the noise as of thunder in his ears, and then all was blank. Book 2, Chapter XXIV. THE DOCTOR'S ANSWER. It was with a sense of waking from a dream that Brace Norton opened his eyes to gaze upon lights and faces dancing around him; but it was long before he could collect his thoughts sufficiently to reply to questions that were asked. By degrees, though, he could make out that it was Sir Murray Gernon who was speaking, and then there arose a loud, wailing woman's cry, followed by a voice Brace recognised. "Ye're reet, lassie--it is, sure enew. It's Jock Gurdon come back to get his deserts." "Blast you!--a doctor--I'm--I'm dy--Here, quick!--a doctor, or I shall bleed to death!" groaned the wretched man. "Has any one gone for a medical man?" said a stern voice. "Yes, Sir Mooray, I've sent for a doctor and the police, too. It's gude for us that the loons were quarrelling over the spoil." "Isa, my child, this is no place for you!" exclaimed Sir Murray. "That's right," cried Lord Maudlaine, who was also present; "I've been asking her to go. My dear Miss Gernon--Isa--what are you about? Don't go near him!" Lord Maudlaine might well exclaim, for Isa Gernon, pale and scared, was slowly advancing towards where Brace Norton lay. The eyes of love were more piercing than those of the bystanders; and in those swollen and bleeding features Isa had recognised those of the man who had told her again and again of his love. "Brace!" she cried, in a low, husky voice, as, falling upon her knees at his side, heedless of all present, she laid her hands upon his; for this could be no burglar, as they had told her--there must be some horrible mystery here. "Isa!" he whispered, as his eyes met hers for an instant, ere they closed. "Quick!--quick!" cried the agitated girl. "Father--dear papa--oh, what is this? You have shot him, and he is dying. Oh, quick!--quick!--a doctor!" Her cries seemed to drive away the fainting sensation that oppressed Brace Norton; and as Sir Murray--astounded at his daughter's words-- hurried to her side, the young man's eyes again unclosed, for his lips to part in a faint smile. "No, no," he whispered--"not shot--that man--Gurdon--I followed him-- stabbed, I fear--perhaps to death--the cross, Sir Murray; look! Lady Gernon's--my father's innocence--left for me to prove--I know--old story--take it, Isa, love--if I pass away, recollect--not--son-- dishonoured man--saved--"