body heaved. Its forelegs touched the bare skin about the base of
my neck; they stuck to it,--shall I ever forget the feeling? I
have it often in my dreams. While it hung on with those in front
it seemed to draw its other legs up after it. It crawled up my
neck, with hideous slowness, a quarter of an inch at a time, its
weight compelling me to brace the muscles of my back. It reached
my chin, it touched my lips,--and I stood still and bore it all,
while it enveloped my face with its huge, slimy, evil-smelling
body, and embraced me with its myriad legs. The horror of it made
me mad. I shook myself like one stricken by the shaking ague. I
shook the creature off. It squashed upon the floor. Shrieking like
some lost spirit, turning, I dashed towards the window. As I went,
my foot, catching in some obstacle, I fell headlong to the floor.

Picking myself up as quickly as I could I resumed my flight,--rain
or no rain, oh to get out of that room! I already had my hand upon
the sill, in another instant I should have been over it,--then,
despite my hunger, my fatigues, let anyone have stopped me if they
could!--when someone behind me struck a light.




CHAPTER III

THE MAN IN THE BED


The illumination which instantly followed was unexpected. It
startled me, causing a moment's check, from which I was just