He saw the Thing....
It passed, spectral in trailing veils of mist, which gathered round its slowly, slowly moving form; the leaves rustled; and ghosts threatened to appear from behind the silent trees, to stop the Thing's progress.... For, once his mother was dead, the Thing would sink into the abyss....
"I can't kill my mother!" Harold Dercksz repeated; and his martyred face became drawn with torturing pain.
He clasped his hands convulsively....
"And yet some one will have to tell her," Ina muttered to Anna, who stood beside her, mumbling, speaking to herself, utterly distraught.
But there was a ring at the bell. She went to the door. It was Anton: this was the day when he came to pay his mother his weekly visit.
"Is there any one with Mamma?"
"Aunt Stefanie," said Ina.
"What's happened?" he asked, seeing her consternation.
"Dr. Roelofsz is dead."