The herald., 1898-04-17


Of the GIRL with the knife still clasped
tightly in her hand; the strange express
sion In her eyes; the attempt of Spin
oza, when she had been led from the
drawinR-room to de-hypnotize her; the
result OF the attempt how she fell for
ward, as II In sleep, into Grants arms
with relaxed muscles; and, lastly, how
the knife fell from her grasp All these
things they went over again and again,
but to no good end.
The mystery, not only of the attack
upon Hillfield but also of her present
trance-state. appeared inscrutable.
The entrance of Mrs. Vallance's maid
to say that breakfast was served, and
that she would remain to watch the
sleeper. cut short the conversation.
Once during breakfast, Doctor Mat
thews went up to ascertain whether
any change had occurred, but Ethel
had neither stirred nor given any sign.
and he returned with a sadder and
more troubled face to meet the ques-
ton:
rs there any changer"
None, absolutely none. Her pulse
seems no weaker nor stronger; her
breathing is the same; and IL there Is
any difference it is so slight-it may be
my imagination-her feet and hands
are a trtie. yes, trifie warmer. That,
however, may be the increased heat of
the room, the sun. or some similar ex-
| ternal cause"
Matthews how long may this last?"
said Mr.. Valance.
Don't ask me, for cannot tell. 1t
might be a week, a fortnight, scarcely
longer; a few hours, even. Who can
10 n1iIdrnn
who, playing with a master lock, have
lost the key"
The clock on the mantelpiece struck
ten. How long will it be before the
others Gomez" asked Mr. Valance.
"A very few minutes. They ought, II
punctual, to be here now"
The words were scarcely spoken be-
fore the door opened, and the two doc
tors, with Spinoza and Grant, were an
nounced.
Tell Ransford to call your mistress"
said Mr.. Valance, as the man retired.
The three doctors held brief con-
sultation, whilst Grant told Mr.. VAL
lance that Hillfields wound was mere
ly a flesh one, and not nearly SO seri-
Gus as was at first believed.
SpinoZa was silent.
He was thinking: thinking till he
felt that his brain was on fire. All
night long he had lain tossing, sleep
less with the events of the evening
crowding into his mind, till 1t grew diz-
zy, and till a curtain of fire seemed to
hang and flame before his eyes-a cur
tain of fire and blood.
He felt that something had gone from
him, some essence, some virtue, some
mysterious power; and he was engaged
in a seemingly vain struggle to recover
the dropped end Of the skein. He was
there that morning because he was to
make a second attempt to restore Ethel
Valance to life-yes, to life, for the
end must be measured by days II she
did not regain consciousness.
Over and above the loss Of reputa-
tion--so dear to his heart-friends and
all, in the event Of his failure, there
would be the awful thought Of the girl
who would have, by slow stages, died
through his instrumentality.
| He had greeted Mr.. Valance and
Doctor Matthews upon entering, but
he had heard nothing of the conversa-
| ton, and it was with a sense of shock,
of awakening, Of unreality, that the
words, Let us go up stairs, now"
broke in upon his mind.
| Upon reaching the room where Ethel
lay, they found Mrs. Valance already
there-alone-
The maid was recalled and ques-
toned by DIR. Matthew's; but she had
nothing to tell
MY young lady has not stirred hand
or foot. I have watched her carefully,
sir" That was all.
| She was told to remain in case she
should be wanted, and the three medi-
cal men, with Grants assistance,
moved the sofa into the full light near
the window.
The unconscious figure on the couch
did not stir. One arm, the left one.
which had rested on the edge by her
side fell down inertly till the finger tips
almost touched the floor. Grant stopped
and placed it across her body.
Was it a .remor that he felt?
1t was too slight for him to be sure,
SO he said nothing.
| Grant, Spinoza and Mr.. Valance
watched the various tests applied with
| intense interest-Spinoza with the
| trembling eagerness of a man on whom
| a sentence of death might shortly be
passed. His state of highly wrought
nervousness was painfully apparent,
and the reddish light of the sun, which
struggled to send it's rays through the
slight fog that still hung around the
roofs and chimneys, failed to entirely
Danish the ashen pallor from his face.
| AS the countenance of the doctors
grew more anxious and perplexed at
the verdict of each test, he said after
ward that he felt as if his mind were
| giving way.
After a whispered consultation,
Ransford was called to remove the
shawl from Ethel Vallance's shoulders.
Grant, who was nearest, raised her
head. AS his fingers touched the spine
he again thought that he felt a slight
responsive muscular movement This
time he said so, and DR.. Hale took his
place.
After a minute or two he shook his
head sadly, saying:
II can detect nothing. I fear, Grant,
you must after all have been mis-
taken"
LET me try!" exclaimed Spinoza.
He placed his hand underneath the
girls head, pressing his fingers firmly
against the apex of the spinal column.
If ever a mans soul and will could be
elected from his into another human
being, the professors should have
passed from him into the inert girl who
lay supine and outstretched before him.
The effort of will he exerted was tre-
mendous-appalling in its intensity.
VI, n r-nr hn !,