"I thought that it would be a better way. So shall all the enemies of the Lord perish from off the face of the earth! Shall I?"
He made, with his knife, a dreadful significant gesture over the region of the dead man's abdomen. As he did so the bell of the adjoining church was heard summoning the worshippers to service. On the Rev. Simon the sound had a marvellous effect. He rose to his feet. Every appearance of madness passed away from him. He seemed clothed again in his right mind. He glanced at the clock upon the mantelshelf. His manner became clerically stern.
"It is time for service to begin. I must suffer nothing to interfere with my ministrations at the altar." Going to the door, he unlocked it, and threw it open. He called, "Helena!"
A girl's voice replied, she thought he was calling her to church.
"Yes, papa, I'm coming! I am almost ready."
"Come here at once. Something has happened to Philip."
The girl came hurrying in, buttoning her gloves as she entered. She exclaimed at the sight of her cousin lying so still upon the floor.
"Oh, papa, what is the matter with him? Is he in a fit?"
Her father was rapidly donning his surplice, his stole, and his hood, surveying himself, as he did so, in a mirror.
"He is in something of the kind. As I was talking to him he fell suddenly to the ground. See that he receives every necessary attention. It is time for service to commence. I cannot stay."