Mr. and Mrs. Craig stood with pale faces, irresolute and powerless to help, whatever might be the extremity of their neighbor.  To attempt a forcible entry into the room was a doubtful expedient, and might be attended with instant fatal consequences.  The muttering and panting ceased at length, and so did all signs of struggling and resistance.  The madman had wrought his will, whatever that might be.  Breathlessly they listened, but not a sound broke the deep silence.  Minutes passed, but the stillness reigned.

“He may have killed her,” whispered Mrs. Craig, with white lips.  Her husband pressed his ear closely to the door.

“Do you hear anything?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

They spoke in a low whisper.

“Put your ear against the door.”

Mrs. Craig did so, and after a moment or two could hear a faint movement, as of something being pulled across the carpet.  The sound was intermittent, now being very distinct and now ceasing altogether.  The direction of the movement was toward that part of the room occupied by the bed.  The listeners’ strained sense of hearing was so acute that it was able to interpret the meaning of each varying sound.  A body had been slowly dragged across the floor, and now, hushed and almost noiselessly as the work went on, they knew that the body was being lifted from the floor and placed upon the bed.  For a little while all was quiet, but the movements soon began again, and were confined to the bed.  Something was being done with the dead or unconscious body.  What, it was impossible to make out or even guess.  Mrs. Abercrombie might be lifeless, in a swoon or only feigning unconsciousness.

“It won’t do to let this go on any longer,” said Mr. Craig as he came back from the door at which he had been listening.  “I must call some of the boarders and have a consultation.”

He was turning to go out, when a sound as of a falling chair came from General Abercrombie’s room, and caused him to stop and turn back, This was followed by the quick tread of heavy feet going up and down the chamber floor, and continuing without intermission for as much as five minutes.  It stopped as suddenly as it had begun, and all was silent again.  They knew that the general was standing close by the bed.

“My God!” in a tone full, of anguish and fear dropped from his lips.  “Edith!  Edith! oh, Edith!” he called in a low wail of distress.  “Speak to me, Edith!  Why don’t you speak to me?”

They listened, but heard no answer.  General Abercrombie called the name of his wife over and over again, and in terms of endearment, but for all Mr. and Mrs. Craig could tell she gave back no sign.

“O my God! what have I done?” they heard him say, the words followed by a deep groan.

“It is my time now;” and Mr. Craig ran out into the hall as he said this and knocked at the general’s door.  But no answer came.  He knocked again, and louder than at first.  After waiting for a short time he heard the key turn in the lock.  The door was opened a few inches, and he saw through the aperture the haggard and almost ghastly face of General Abercrombie.  His eyes were wild and distended.