Then two things happened in quick succession; but the first brought the lover back to life with such a throb that the second was not even seen.
Just saying, "I'm afraid I'm going to make a fool of myself," all that he loved on earth collapsed at his feet. The doctor was down on his knees beside her, getting the girl into his arms. And even Mr. Croucher did not see the curtains close, or hear anything happen behind them; for he, too, was on his knees, holding out a dripping sponge, and babbling faster than the drops pattered on the floor.
"It's right! I done it … that pore copper in the fog! She sent 'im reelin' – into me arms – but I done all the rest. Never meant to, mind yer, but that's neither here nor there. Ready to swing, I was, an' don't care now if I do! She saved me – little knock-out – an' look 'ow I went an' tret 'er for it!.. Gawd, doctor, wot a fair swine I was!"
But the crime doctor had even less time to listen to him now; for the eyes of eyes had opened, were gazing up into his; and not one of them had heard the window raised behind the curtains, or the clanging thud upon the iron steps just underneath.