Year: 1868

|


A storm had overtaken me, and had s
increased the darkness of the cloudy nigh
that | could proceed no further on my way
and accordingly | had put up at this Graz
inn, in which | now found myself, Will
the landlord was gifted wit broad rount
head, pale face, end thick neck, the landla
dy had a long, honey neck and face, sduar,
jaw, and All Angular head, very broad
the ears. Mine host was an unscrupulou
looking man; and mine hostess dangerou


looking woman


Twas treated to 6nc supper; for min,
hostess was superb COOK, and knew how
10 awaken and satisfy your appetite. on
iy thought that il my horse was eninvins
his supper as well, should feel conented
for l had strong affection Tor Ready, as
called him.


The fire was warm and the rain beat
against the windows; so that | settled my.
self down at my meal, with something of o
conteDted spirit Not so when | locked
myseltinto my chamber There | was alone
and had nothing to do but to think, while
the rain poured down upon the skylight,
and the thunder shook the house.


A man need not fear, but he may be
cautious. | was cautious and by the dim
light of the lamp | carefully examined the
walls, the door and the window and sky
light, the fire place, and lastly the bed 1t
was only two days before that had read OF
an inn in France where it had been discov-
cred that missing travellers were disposed OF
by machinery connected with the bed; so !
examined this bed with criti :a eye. !
could not help smiling to myself during the
whole performance, and would have felt like
a sheep if my landlord had knocked at the
door, on some eTand. But you know how
it is; il man once gets his suspicions arOus-
ed under such circumstances, be is very apt
to do as | did.


had discovered nothing unusual in the
walls, door, window skyight or bed--on
the latter which had thrown myself with
out undressing ard get | was uneasy as |
tried to give nySelt into the arms oi Nor
pheus.


At last, from sheer fatigue, fell into
ftlul sumber-a slunber which nearly cost
my life.


had slept half an hour or more. troub
led continually BY lhe most hideous dreams,
when | woke as if by the touch OF man.
had left my light burning, when | was
awaE ned it was out. A vivid fash of
lightning lit up the room through the win
dow, so that i coulI have seen a man had
he been At my bedside could see 10 one
A shivcr run through y as | peercd into
darkness, and could feel the touch thar
walked me, as though hand lay on my body
still.
The thunder that followed the lightning
was terrific; hut the beating OF ms heart
| was louder to me than that. / was unarm-
ed, and there was q man in the chamber
Ot this, not my mind but my heart was
certain. 1t was possible that | was awaken.
ed by simply & twitcting of my body, which,
in my waking dream, would seem like the
touch of hand; aud 1t WIS possible that
She lamp went out for the lack Of oil, or
| by the wind that howled at periods through
| the cracked boards at the windows. Yet
for moment, + held my breath, for tear OF
bringing him upon NE by even the sound
Of my breathing.


In that bret moment bethought me of
some means OF defense. The picture had
often drawn to myself, while lying awake in
the night, was that, if | should ever be at
tackled in bed, | would seize the pillow and
receive the attack upon it. | did this now,
and not too soon, for form leaped up from
the side OF the bed next the WALL and threw
itself upon me. AT the same instant the
chamber vas lit by another fash, which re.
vealed to me the innkeeper. | saw a large
knife in the air above me, and then it de.
scended with almost hiss.


Had not my pillow been my shield, the
weapon would have sunk to the llt in MY
breast; but as it was, the pillow saved me-
The knife sank through it and touched my
body, intlcting slight flesh wound, but
nothing more,


Curse you'll cried the innkeeper, in t
hoarse voice. "You have wit, but have
a knife.


As he uttered the last words he essayeG
to withdraw the weapon, at the same time
grasping my pillow TO wrench it aside -
But he had miscalculatcd his man. In ny
former pictures of Imagination, | had thoFt
of Just what | would do under such circum
stances; in this case did it exactly.


The moment the knife touched my breast
my right hand was on the arm of the inn
keeper, ard glided rapidly down on hi,
wrist ere he could snatch away the blade. -
My grip was usually strong; and now the
nerve of suddenly awakened fear and anger
rendered it temporary vice.


1t was not the innkeeper who had sue.
ceeded in wrenching aside the pillow, but
myself. As he strove to wrench it one way.
| did the other; and by sudden twitch |
snatched it from his grasp and pushed il
with my left hand into bis face, towards
which his heavy breathing served as guide.
heard stiffed curse, and | could feel that
he angrily clutched at this strange instru-
ment OF attack, not only with his left hand,
but with his right, on which had my hold.


My eyes were becoming accustomed to
the dark-as knew his long had--and /
could see plainly enough to take instant ad
vantage of the position. When he clutch,
ed with his right at the pillow l suddenly
withdrew my LETT hand from the pillow, and
concentrating tho strength of both hands
: | L. L;.h k.sll ~. IL.