And I went to see the families. I went to see them all. If I only
could think. But she is suffering too much. I can't think as long as she
lies on the rug, and trembles so. See the flashes of lightning pass
through her head. Don't bury your face in the rug. No wonder it's all
dark. Try to think, and then it will be all right."

Up from the street came the air of: "There were three crows," and the
words:

"Steven Maguire has schemed to be elected November fourth,
Steven Maguire has schemed to be elected November fourth.
Steven Maguire has schemed and schemed,
But all his schemes will end in froth!
And the people will all shout, Hurrah, rah, rah, rah.
And the people will all shout, Hurrah, rah, rah, rah.

"For Peter Stirling elected will be upon November fourth,
For Peter Stirling elected will be upon November fourth,
For Peter Stirling elected will be
And Steven Maguire will be in broth,
And the people will all shout, Hurrah, rah, rah, rah,
And the people will all shout, Hurrah, rah, rah, rah."

"It's Steven Maguire. He never could be honest. If I had him here!"
Peter came in contact with a chair. "Who's that? Ah! It's you. You've
killed her. Now!" And another chair went flying across the room with
such force, that the door to the hall flew off its hinges, and fell with
a crash. "I've killed him" screamed Peter. "I've--No, I've killed my
darling. All I have in the world!"

And so he raved, and roamed, and stumbled, and fell; and rose, and
roamed, and raved, and stumbled, and fell, while the great torchlight
procession sang and cheered him from below.

He was wildly fighting his pain still when two persons, who, after
ringing and ringing, had finally been let in by Jenifer's key, stood
where the door had been.

"My God," cried one, in terror. "He's crazy! Come away!"

But the other, without a word or sign of fear, went up to that
wild-looking figure, and put her hand in his.

Peter stopped his crazed stride.

"I can't think, I tell you. I can't think as long as you lie there on
the rug. And your eyes blaze so. They feel just like balls of fire."

"Please sit down, Peter. Please? For my sake. Here. Here is the chair.
Please sit down."

Peter sank back in the chair. "I tell you I can't think. They do nothing
but burn. It's the petroleum!" He started forward, but a slender arm
arrested his attempt to rise, and he sank back again as if it had some
power over