"Quickly she resumed her search, but another interruption stopped her. The sitting-room door opened. She started violently and stood with fast-beating heart. A hesitating step crossed the threshold. Gradually her breath came back and her guilty heart beat more slowly. A blind man could not harm her. She removed the pocket-book just as Goddard tripped over the dog. The sound of his fall aroused the stupefied figure on the bed. Faintly he whispered a name—a familiar name—the name of——"
A shriek rang out—the cry of a soul in torture! The spell-bound officers sprang to their feet. Spectators climbed on their chairs for a better view.
"Sit down! Sit down!" roared the judge advocate.
A figure tottered out into the aisle.
"Air! Air! I must have air!" The judge advocate stepped aside. "For God's sake, let me go!"
"That is just what we cannot do. Guard, here is your prisoner," and Warren caught Mrs. Bennett as she fell.
CHAPTER XXVI
BY A HAIR'S BREADTH