tor was
sensitive on the subject, and he had threatened the most dreadful
vengeance if he ever found out who had betrayed his secret to the
reporters.

These stories came into Nick's mind at once. He decided to witness this
strange scene to the end.

There was, however, little more to be observed. The doctor extinguished
the lights and ascended the stairs.

He paused a moment beside the mutilated body; put away his knife, drew
the cloth over the corpse, and then turned toward his room.

Nick followed, and entered the room close behind the somnambulist. It is
sometimes possible to question a person in that condition, and to learn
what he would not disclose when awake.

Some such intention was in Nick's mind, but he had no opportunity of
executing it. The doctor walked to the window, of which the shade was
drawn. Accidentally he touched the cord, and the shade, which worked
with a spring, shot up, making a loud noise.

With a peculiar, hoarse cry, the doctor awoke. He exhibited the nervous
terror common at such times. He jumped back from the window, and turned
toward the bed.

Nick, disguised as Cleary, stood directly before him. It was impossible
to avoid discovery. The moonlight flooded the room.

"Cleary!" cried the doctor, "why are you here?"

"I heard you moving about, sir," replied Nick, imitating Cleary's voice
which had very little of the ordinary peculiarities of the negro.
Indeed, he was an educated man.

"Walking in my sleep again," muttered the doctor. "And such dreams!
Great Heaven! such dreams!"

"I thought you must have had a bad nightmare," said Nick.

"I have. It was dreadful."

The doctor pressed his hands to his head.

"What did you dream, sir?"

"What business is that of yours, you infernal, inquisitive rascal?"

"Well, sir," said Nick, respectfully, "I thought from what you did--"

"Did? What did I do?"

Nick very briefly described the scene which he had witnessed.

Dr. Jarvis seemed overcome with horror.

"Is it possible?" he cried.

Then suddenly he turned and hurried out into the laboratory. He went
straight to the corpse upon the slab of stone, and drew back the cloth.

Nick followed, and together they gazed upon the mutilated body. It
seemed to Nick that it was the same which he had seen before, and which
he had known to be not that of Patrick Deever. But in the uncertain
light he could not be certain.

Dr. Jarvis gave him little time for making his decision.

He h