American, and tried to separate them. But they had bitten into each
other like two mad dogs; and it was necessary to call for help. A
soldier and the milkman gave a hand; and finally two policemen appeared
on the scene.

"I must go home," cried Dorothea, while the other women shrieked and
carried on. "I must go home, and get my things and leave."

With the face of one possessed and at the same time dumb, Philippina
stole out from among the excited crowd and followed Dorothea. She did
not feel that she was walking; she could not feel the pavement under her
feet; she was unconscious of the air. That wild inspiration returned to
her which she had experienced once before in her life--the time she went
up in the attic and saw Gertrude's lifeless body hanging from a rafter.

Her veins pulsed with a hot lust for destruction. "Swing the torch!"
That was the cry she heard running through her brain. "Swing the torch!"
But she wanted to do something much more pretentious this time than
merely start a fire in some rubbish. The farther she went the more
rapidly she walked. Finally she began to run and sing with a loud,
coarse voice. Her cloak was not buttoned; it flew in the air. The people
who saw her stopped and looked at her, amazed.

VIII

Herr Carovius and Jordan were sitting in the Paradise Cafe.

"How things change, and how everything clears up and straightens out!"
remarked Jordan.

"Yes, the open graves are gaping again," said Herr Carovius cynically.

"So far as I am concerned," continued Jordan, without noticing the
aversion his affability had aroused in Herr Carovius, "I can now face
death with perfect peace of mind. My mission is ended; my work is done."

"That sounds as if you had discovered the philosopher's stone," remarked
Herr Carovius sarcastically.

"Perhaps," replied Jordan gently and bent over the table. "You are after
all not entirely wrong, my honoured friend. Do you wish to be convinced?
Will you honour me with a visit?"

Herr Carovius had become curious. They paid their bills and left for
AEgydius Place.

Having entered Jordan's room, the old man lighted a lamp and bolted the
door. He then opened the door of the great cabinet by the wall, and took
out a big doll. It was dressed like a Swiss maid, had on a flowered
skirt, a linen waist, and a little pink apron. Its yellow hair was done
up in braids, and on its head was a little felt hat.

"All that is my hand