At first I could not sleep because I heard the scuttling of a mouse or rat behind the paneling. I lay thinking of Thelma. A momentary wish, wicked as a venomous snake, and swift as fire darted through my thoughts. I wished that Stanley Audley were dead. With such thoughts uppermost in my mind I suddenly experienced a heavy drowsiness and I must have at last dozed off.
I was awakened by feeling something cold upon my mouth. I struggled, only to find that I was breathless and helpless. I tried to cry out, but could not. My breath came and went in short quick gasps. Was it possible that I had left the gas turned on and was being asphyxiated!
I struggled and fought for life, but the cold Thing, whatever it was, pressed upon my mouth.
In the darkness I strove to shout for help, but no sound escaped my lips, while my limbs were so paralyzed that I could not raise my hands to my face.
I recollect struggling frantically to free myself from the horrible and mysterious influence that was upon me. I tried frantically to extricate myself from that deadly embrace, but was helpless as a babe. I thought I heard the sound of heavy breathing, but was not quite sure. Was I alone—or was someone in the room?
My lips seemed to burn, my brain was on fire, a wild madness seized me and then the cold Thing left my lips.
I must have fainted, for all consciousness was suddenly blotted out.
When I came to myself I heard strange faint whisperings around me. Before my eyes was a blood-red haze and I felt in my mouth and throat a burning thirst.
I breathed heavily once or twice, I remember, and then I lapsed again into unconsciousness. How long I remained, I know not. I must have been inert and helpless through many hours. Then I became half conscious of some liquid being wafted into my face, as though by a scent-spray, and once I seemed to hear Thelma’s soft, sweet voice. But it was faint and indistinct, sounding very far away.
I fell back into a dreamy stupor. Yet before my eyes was always that scarf-pin like a tiny human eye which had been worn by my commercial friend. It had attracted me as we had gossiped, and as is so often the case its impression had remained upon my subconscious mind.