With her assistance, Heideck carried the fainting woman to a couch, and
perceiving one of the little green flasks of lavender water, which are
never wanting in an English house, on the table, he employed the strong
perfume as well as he was able, whilst the Indian maid rubbed the soles
of her young mistress' feet, and adopted divers other methods, well
known among the natives, of resuscitating her.

Under their joint attentions, Edith soon opened her eyes, and gazed with
bewildered looks around her. But on seeing lying on the floor the corpse
of the Indian whom Heideck had shot, her consciousness returned with
perfect clearness.

Shaking off the last traces of faintness with a firm will, she got up.

"It was you who saved me, Mr. Heideck! You risked your life for me! How
can I thank you enough?"

"Solely, madam, by allowing me to conduct you at once to the Colonel's
house, whose protection you must necessarily claim until your
husband's return. Whoever may have been the instigator of this hellish
plot--whether these rogues were common thieves or whether they acted on
orders, I do not feel myself strong enough, single-handed, to accept the
responsibility for your security."

"You are right," Edith replied gently. "I will get ready at once and go
with you--but this man here," she added, shivering, "is he dead, or can
something be done for him?"

Heideck stooped down and regarded the motionless figure. A single look