of gravitation prevents. Nor did I indeed desire to turn
back. My one desire was to go. I dropped and dropped, as though for
miles. I struck with terrific force upon a grass-covered but hard and
unyielding surface. A pang of agony, poignant in its intensity, darted
in an upward direction through my lower right limb and I dropped
prostrate upon the earth.

But now in the window above stood my would-be destroyer, a wild gleam in
his wide open eyes and that awful lethal object still in his grasp. His
eyes roved this way and that into the darkness without, seeking to find
the victim. The light from behind shone full upon him. Thwarted for the
moment tho' he had been, his purpose was all too plainly revealed.

Heedless of the pain, I leaped to my feet and darted away into the
sheltering night. Somehow, I know not how, I scaled the fence. There was
a gate, but what time had I to seek out gates? I staggered adown the
street. I reached the corner below and there I fell, unable to proceed
another rod be the consequences what they might. Merciful
unconsciousness succeeded. I knew no more.

When after a lapse I recovered my senses familiar objects surrounded me,
and faces well known to me yet for the time wearing a strange aspect,
bent over me. I remember my first words.

"Where am I?" I uttered feebly, and would have started up had not those
close at hand restrained me with gentle force.

I was in my own room. While my swoon continued Samaritans had borne me
hither. Gentle hands soothed my brow; a physician was preparing
wrappings for the injured limb, my right ankle being in a severely
sprained state. I learned that I had been discovered lying mute and
insensible upon the public highway. My lineaments had been recognised;
assistance had been summoned; I had been removed to my quarters; friends
now ministered to me. One and all, they assumed that, walking in the
darkness, I had encountered some obstacle and, being thus injured, had
fallen unconscious. Weak as I was and incoherent though my thoughts, I
did not undeceive them. Nor have I yet done so.

I sought to know more, but the physician bade me be silent. His task
completed, he administered a sleeping draught and anon I sank into deep
slumber.

That was the night of the day before yesterday. Upon yesterday and again
this morning I made fervent inquiry of my nurse as to whether any person
other than those connected with Fernbridge had called. Each time I was
told that M