And now it seemed to me that my clip of despair was filled to the brim, that no further calamity could be added to it, yet the figure had still another horror in store for me. One night as I bent over the corpse I suddenly became conscious that I was not alone in the house. I had not heard a sound, nor had I caught the faintest glimpse of anyone but still I was sure that there was at least one other person in the house besides myself. At such moments it seems as though man has a supernatural sixth sense buried in his subconscious mind which warns him of approaching danger. To say I was shocked would not nearly have described my condition. I was in a panic. Fear made of me a total wreck. The very marrow froze in my bones and I felt as sick and weak as though I were a plague victim. Even in my fear I realized that I was in a most unexplainable position, unless the hidden personage should prove to be the soul of Alladina Visrain. As the thought came to me, the curtains at the end of the room parted slightly and through the opening I could see the muzzle of a revolver leveled directly at me. As I beheld it, I quickly switched off the electric lights plunging the room into absolute darkness. Then I made a wild leap for the other door, but in the darkness I tripped over the corpse with such force that I dragged it from the chair and together we fell to the floor with a dull thud. Fear now had me absolutely in its power. I lost my reason. Instead of trying to get away I commenced wrestling with the lifeless body. And as I wrestled, there came to my already weakened nerves another severe shock. As we writhed about the floor two hands clutched at my throat and anchored there, with a frightful grip. It seemed as though the dead had come to life again. Then other hands grasped my arms and legs. There seemed to be at least a half dozen bodies bending over me. In that moment my strength seemed to multiply. Dread made of me a formidable opponent. I became a machine. I flung my arms about in every direction like flails. Sometimes my fists crashed against warm flesh and I could hear the grunts of my adversaries as the blows struck home. But the hands about my throat gripped tighter. I could scarcely breathe. I struggled terribly for breath. For one bit of air I would have given all I possessed in the world. Finally someone mercifully turned on the lights and to my horror I found myself surrounded by policemen. None too gently they slipped a pair of handcuffs over my wrists but I did not care, for the one who held my throat released his grip and I could breathe again.
Now I am sitting in a prison cell. I
am to be tried next week for murder,
the murder of my own self. They
would not allow me to be released on
bail, for in the eyes of the world I have
taken a human life. Ever since my
strange disappearance, detectives had
been searching for me. It was Vera
Gray who raised the alarm. Now I am
writing the true story of all that has
transpired. I intend to present it at my
trial. What the verdict will be I cannot
say, nor do I really care, for they have
buried my body and Vera has gone into
mourning because she believes I am dead.
Even if I am acquitted, what does the
future hold in store for me? I have
been examined by three alienists since I
have been in prison. They are unanimous
in declaring me sane. Perhaps
this will help my case somewhat. I also,
intend to see Vera. I shall recall to her
countless little incidents that happened
in the past that are known only to her
and me. I believe in time, when my story
becomes known, I will be acquitted but
it may take months, and afterwards
what have I to look forward to? Nothing
but memories, memories of Vera
which are sadly beautiful, memories of
my dead body sitting upright in the
house next door, which are so ghastly
that they will haunt me forever. I will
be just a poor broken bit of humanity, a
man who once lived next door to himself
and has ceased to be happy now
that his neighbor is gone.
Singular Combat
In the reign of Henry IV., twelve English Barons gave out that certain ladies, whom they named, were not entitled, by birth, beauty, or education, to the high rank they held at court; and that they would take up arms against any twelve champions in Europe who dare come forth in their defense. Intimation of this challenge was received in Portugal, and as none had hitherto undertaken to appear in defense of the injured ladies, Magrico, with eleven other Portuguese cavaliers, set out from Oporto to espouse their cause; having previously obtained permission from their sovereign, John I. The English monarch, on being apprised of their arrival, prepared a splendid banquet suitable to the occasion; to him was left to choose the arms to be used by the combatants, and to appoint the day and the situation, which was on the south banks of the Thames. The spectators being assembled in a vast amphitheatre, the champions rode into the arena at the sound of the trumpet, each armed with a sword and lance. Upon the appearance of the Portuguese, the circle resounded with applause, particularly on the part of the ladies, who were present. As soon as the king, who presided at the spectacle, had given the signal, the attack commenced, and was maintained for a considerable time with great skill and courage on both sides, insomuch, that victory for some time remained doubtful. The Portuguese, however, being very expert at the lance, and animated by the cheers of the ladies, wounded several of the adversaries, and unhorsed others; so that at length the king proclaimed the conquerors. The ladies now, with acclamations of joy, assembled round the victors; crowned them with chaplets of roses, interwoven with ribbands, which they carried off in triumph. And further to express their gratitude, at the departure of their gallant defenders, they presented them with swords, spears, and shields, ornamented with various devices, as trophies of their victory. Nor were the honors less which awaited them at their return to Portugal; they were received in triumph, and caressed by the ladies, whose cause they vowed to defend all over the world.
