lessly. As soon as I discovered that the phantom had a
_human_ purpose, my terror abated. I was now in a state of feverish
excitement, wondering what other discoveries would be made. Our way lay
along the bank of a little brook. The space was more open. The weeds and
bushes had evidently been trampled down, and broken away. Miriam walked
more slowly, and looked upon the ground. At last she again paused, and
pointed with a rigid, bony finger to a little alder twig, which was
trembling in the breeze. I could see nothing there but a dewdrop
sparkling in the moonlight; but, obeying the impulse of my will, which
was in obedience to Miriam, I stooped to touch the dewdrop, and instead,
I took off the twig--a ring! It was the diamond ring, which Miriam had
given to Ackermann. I clutched it in my hand, and turned to Miriam, but
she was retracing her steps.

I remember nothing of the return home. I saw nothing, felt nothing. I
seemed to be sailing through the air, so exhilarated was I. I can
compare my state to nothing but that of a person who has been taking
ether. I took but little notice of Miriam, until we entered the village,
when I observed that she walked more slowly. After a time it seemed to
be an effort to her to walk at all, until finally she tottered, and fell
close by her own door. I stood an instant, and looked at her. She lay on
the step, a stiff and rigid corpse. Her eyes were open, but they were
fixed in the glassy stare of death! I ran into the house. Mrs. Grove was
in the dining room, sleeping heavily. I was about to awaken her, when I
remembered that I would have to account for the strange fact of the body
lying at the front door. How could I tell Mrs. Grove, who had showed
herself to be a weak and nervous woman, the wonderful story of our night
walk? Would she be able to help me if she knew it? I thought of calling
upon Miriam's father, but that seemed horrible. These thoughts rushed
through my mind with the rapidity of lightning, and I ran out of the
door again, not knowing what to do. A man was standing on the step: I
suppose he happened to be passing, and stopped in amazement at the
sight; but I did not pause to look at him, or ask him any questions. I
had no time to give him explanations, for I saw the gray dawn was
breaking in the eastern sky, and feared that soon other persons might
come along the street. I gave him a confused and hurried account of how
we had thought Miriam dead, and how she had walked