The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-08-16
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By FITZ.JAMES O'BRIEN.


In an instant | wound two muscular
arms around the creature, and
| squeezed il against my chest. In a
few seconds the bony hands that had
fastened on my throat loosened their
hold, and | was free 10 breathe once
more.
Then commenced struggle OF aw-
full intensity. Immersed in profound
darkness, totally ignorant of the ma
ture of the Thing by which | was
so suddenly attacked. finding my
grasp slipped every moment, by rea-
son, il seemed TO me, of the entire
| nakedness OF my aSsailant, bitten
with sharp teeth in the shoulder,
neck and chest, having every moment
TO protect my throat against n pair
of sinewy, agile hands, which my ut
most efforts could not confine-these
were circumstances which required
all strength, skill and courage.
At last. after a silent, deadly, ex-
hausting struggle, | got my assail-
ant under by incredible efforts. Once
pinned, with my knee on what made
out 10 be its chest, | knew | was vic
tor. | rested for a moment to
breathe. ! heard the creature be-
meath me painting i'm the darkness,
and felt the violent throbbing Of a
heart. 1t was apparently as exhaust
ed as | was.
At this moment | remembered that
| usually placed under my pillow, be-
fore going to bed, a large yellow silk
pocket handkerchief | felt for II
instantly; it was there. In a few
| seconds more ! had, after a fashion,
pinioned the creatures arms.
] now felt tolerably secure. Never
loosing my hold for an instant,
slipped from the bed To the floor,
dragging my captive with me. had
er. Quick as lightning ] released
my grasp with one hand and let on
the full food Of light Then turned
to look at my captive.
cannot even attempt to define
my sensations the instant after
turned on the gas. | suppose | must
have shrieked with terror, for min
ute afterward my room was crowded
with the inmates Of the house. |
shudder now as | think of that awful
moment.
! saw nothing,
Yes; ] had one arm firmly clasped
round a breathing, painting, corporeal
| shape; my other hand gripped with
all its strength a throat as appar-
emily fieshy as my own; and yet, with
this living substance in my grasp,
with its body pressed against my own,
and in all the bright glare of gas,
absolutely beheld nothing. Not even
an outline-a vapor.
1t breathed. ! felt its breath up
on my cheek. 1t struggled fiercely.
1t had hands. They clutched me. It's
skin was smooth, like my own. There
it lay, pressed close up against me,
solid as stone, and yet utterly in
visible.
Just then Hammond entered my
room at the head OF the household.
AS soon as he beheld my face-which
| suppose, must have been an awful
sight TO look at--he fastened for
ward, crying, Great heavens, Harry,
what has happened?"
Hammond. Hammond" cried
come here. Oh, this is awful. /
have been attacked in bed by some
thing or other, which ! have hold of;
but | can't see il. I can't see IT,"
Hammond, doubtless struck by the
horror expressed in my countenance,
made one or two steps forward with
an anxious yet puzzled expression. A
very audible litter burst from the re-
mainder of my visitors.
This suppressed laughter made me
curious.
Hammond, Hammond" cried
again despairingly, come 10 me. I
can hold the Thing but a short while
longer. II is overpowering me. Help
me! help me-"
Harry" whispered Hammond. ap-
preaching me, you have been smok-
ing too much opium"
Il swear TO you, Hammond, that
this is no vision" answered, in the
some low tone. Don't you see how
it shakes my whole frame with its
struggles? II you don't believe me,
convince yourself. Feel It, touch it,"
Hammond advanced, and laid his
hand on the spot indicated A wild
cry OF horror burst from him. He
had felt IL.
In a moment he had discovered
somewhere in my room long piece
of cord, and was the next instant
winding it and knotting It about the
body OF the unseen being that /
clasped In my arms.
Harry" he said in a hoarse voice
for though he preserved his pres
ence OF mind. he was deeply agitated
Harry, it's safe now; you may let
go IL you are tired. The Thing can
move"
I was utterly exhausted, and I
gladly loosed my hold. Hammond
stood holding the ends OF the cord
that bound the Invisible, twisted
around his hand. while before him.
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