But what ailed her?  She had fallen back in her chair and was still staring with parted lips at the dark pane that a minute ago had framed the horrid countenance.  When at last she spoke, her words were wild and meaningless, with a dreadful mockery of laughter that sent a swift pang of apprehension to my heart.

“Mother, it is gone.  What is the matter?”

Again a few meaningless syllables and that awful laugh.

And so throughout that second awful night did she mutter and laugh, whilst I, helpless and terror-stricken, strove to soothe her and recall her to speech and sense.  The slow hours dragged by, and still I knelt before her waiting for the light.  The slow clock sounded the hours, and still she gave no sign of understanding.  The mice crept out of their accustomed holes and jumped back startled at her laugh.  The fire died low and the candles died out; the wind moaned outside, the tamarisk branches swished against the pane; the hush of night, with its intervals of mysterious sound, held the house; but all the time she never ceased to gaze upon the window, and every now and then to mutter words that were no echo of her mind or voice.  Daylight, with its premonitory chill, crept upon us at last, but oh, how slowly!  Daylight looked in and found us as that cruel sight had left us, helpless and alone.

But with daylight came some courage.  Had there been neighbours near Lantrig I should have run to summon them before, but Polkimbra was the nearest habitation, and Polkimbra was almost two miles off, across a road possessed by horrors and perhaps tenanted by that devilish face.  And how could I leave my mother alone?  But now that day had come I would run to Lizard Town and see Uncle Loveday.  I slipped on my boots, unbolted the door, cast a last look at my mother still sitting helpless and vacant of soul, and rushed from the house.  The sound of her laughter rang in my ears as the door closed behind me.

Weak, haggard and wild of aspect, I ran and stumbled along the cliffs.  Dead Man’s Rock lay below wrapped in a curtain of mist.  Thick clouds were rolling up from seaward; the grey light of returning day made sea, sky and land seem colourless and wan.  But for me there was no sight but Polkimbra ahead.  As I gained the little village I ran down the hill to the “Lugger” and knocked upon the door.  Heavens! how long it was before I was answered.  At last the landlady’s head appeared at an upper window.  With a few words to Mrs. Busvargus, which caused that worthy soul to dress in haste with many ejaculations, I raced up the hill again and across the downs for Lizard Town.  My strength was giving way; my head swam, my sides ached terribly, my legs almost refused to obey my will, and a thousand lights danced and sparkled before my eyes, but still I kept on, now staggering, now stumbling, but still onward, nor stopped until I stood before Uncle Loveday’s door.

There at last I fell; but luckily against the door, so that in a moment or two I became conscious of Aunt Elizabeth standing over me and regarding me as a culprit caught red-handed in some atrocious crime.