way, stepped between them and his hand fell like a vise on Merton's arm. There was a grim, bulldog look on his face as he thrust it close to Merton's.
"Speak of what?" he said, in a low, cold voice.
Merton's face, white, full of terror before, was ghastly now—his eyes were fired with a mad light. He clawed at his collar, and tore at it again and again—clawed at it, swaying upon his feet, until he had got it loose.
"It's a lie!—a lie!—a lie!—a lie!" he screamed—and wriggled inertly to the floor.
"Good heavens!" cried Doctor MacCausland, as he came running into the hall. "What has happened? Ah, I see! I was afraid of this—afraid of a collapse, as I told you. Poor boy, it's been too much for him!"
"Hum!" said Doctor Kreelmar grimly. "Yes; I think it has."
