Yes, there it was, puffed up, with sponge-like knuckles, as after some
terrific blow. What could I do? Though he put me down as a madman, I
must tell him all. I sat by his bed and went over all my troubles from
the beginning. I poured them out with quivering hands and burning
words which might have carried conviction to the most sceptical. "She
hates you and she hates me!" I cried. "She revenged herself last night
on both of us at once. She saw me leave the ball, and she must have
seen you also. She knew how long it would take you to reach home.
Then she had but to use her wicked will. Ah, your bruised face is a
small thing beside my bruised soul!"

He was struck by my story. That was evident. "Yes, yes, she watched
me out of the room," he muttered. "She is capable of it. But is it
possible that she has really reduced you to this? What do you intend
to do?"

"To stop it!" I cried. "I am perfectly desperate; I shall give her
fair warning to-day, and the next time will be the last."

"Do nothing rash," said he.

"Rash!" I cried. "The only rash thing is that I should postpone it
another hour." With that I rushed to my room, and here I am on the eve
of what may be the great crisis of my life. I shall start at once. I
have gained one thing to-day, for I have made one man, at least,
realize the truth of this monstrous experience of mine. And, if the
worst should happen, this diary remains as a proof of the goad that has
driven me.

Evening. When I came to Wilson's, I was shown up, and found that he
was sitting with Miss Penclosa. For half an hour I had to endure his
fussy talk about his recent research into the exact nature of the
spiritualistic rap, while the creature and I sat in silence looking
across the room at each other. I read a sinister amusement in her
eyes, and she must have seen hatred and menace in mine. I had almost
despaired of having speech with her when he was called from the room,
and we were left for a few moments together.

"Well, Professor Gilroy--or is it Mr. Gilroy?" said she, with that
bitter smile of hers. "How is your friend Mr. Charles Sadler after the
ball?"

"You fiend!" I cried. "You have come to the end of your tricks now. I
will have no more of them. Listen to what I say." I strode across and
shook her roughly by the shoulder "As sure as there is a God in heaven,
I swear that if you try another of your deviltries upon me I will have
your life for it. Co