Like a flash he sprung up and rushed desperately after her; but she eluded him, a laugh like the fiendish yell of an infuriated animal sounding upon the stillness of the room. It seemed to arouse Lynde.
He leaped to his feet, and together they succeeded in catching her and forcing her down upon the cot, where she was bound; but it required their united strength to do it, and then only when the floor and bed-clothing were saturated with blood.
"She is a raving maniac!" the doctor ejaculated, pausing to wipe the perspiration from his brow.
Bound as she was, the hideous laughter continued to fall from her rapidly paling lips.
"Quick!" he exclaimed to Lynde. "Go for assistance. Tell some one to bring my surgical instruments. There is not a moment to lose!"
But the moment had already passed.
The horrible laughter grew fainter and fainter, and at last ceased altogether.
The struggling grew weaker, and she lay very quietly when they leaned over her again.
She had fainted, but it was a swoon from which she never recovered.
They sat there beside her, doing what mortal men could do to restore her, but to no purpose.