She remained for some moments by the window, meditating, apparently.  She talked to herself rapidly and in low undertones.  What would I have given to be able to hear all she thus said!  Her expression was one of deep mental agony, and I began to feel a growing confidence.  How can words express the hideousness of the change of countenance, the indescribable horror and distress of a creature that is being pressed closer and closer toward a yawning gulf of blackness from which there is no escape?  How relate the outward signs of an inward terror at which we can but vaguely guess?  Would that I could have penetrated to the depths of that soul for one instant to realize completely the bitterness of the dregs it was draining!  She advanced to the middle of the room; she stretched out both arms with a gesture of horror and despair.  A long, convulsive shudder shook her from head to foot.  Her eyes filled with the unearthly fear of one who sees walls closing in on her, of one bound, who sees flames creeping closer and closer.  In one instant I could see her pass the line dividing mere mental anguish from insanity; the unmistakable light of madness shone in her glance.  With a cry of delight she seized the little dagger.  She was rushing down the corridor like the wind.  Should I follow her?  I hesitated a moment.  I heard a long, low cry of mental agony; all the sounds of a house aroused from slumber by some dreadful calamity.

Had she gone to Hilyard’s room, to die on his threshold?  It was silent once more, except for the exclamations from the different bed-chambers, and the hurrying sounds of footsteps down the corridor.  Then I, too, following the rest of the household, entered the room of death.  Amy sat curled up on the side of the bed, laughing like a pleased child at the red stream that trickled from Hilyard’s breast among the light bed coverings, and dripped slowly to the floor.

* * * * *

Although I am never gay any more, I am not unhappy, for I am more than satisfied with the effect of Hilyard’s African drug.  It is true that it did not fulfill with accuracy all that he claimed for it; perhaps I gave an overdose, or too little.  If that is the case, he suffered for not having been more exact.  He should have mentioned, in telling his little story, the amount necessary.  However, as I say, I have no reason to find fault with its results in this case.

In looking over the effects of the deceased for Mrs. Mershon, I concluded that I should probably meet with no occasion to use the little glass phial again, and as the drug seemed to be rather uncertain in its ultimate effect, I decided, after some reflection, to throw it away, and accordingly I emptied it out of the laboratory window on the flower-bed beneath.  I half expected to see the rose-bushes wither under it, but it only shone slimily on the leaves for a while, and then was washed off by a timely shower.