'Wife--wife! who said 'wife' to me?--who said 'wife' to me?' And he
burst forth more furiously than ever:
'My wife's dead, and I want another one--
And I want another one,
And I want another one--
My wife's dead, and I want another one--
Hip, hip, hurrah!'
The man had now become so much excited, that he commenced walking
rapidly around the room, brandishing his weapon in a most reckless
manner.
Hiram's situation was becoming critical. He did not lose his
self-possession, but began to balance the chances of attempting to
escape by moving swiftly to the door, against keeping his seat and
closely watching the maniac.
As if divining what was passing in his mind, the madman suddenly placed
his back to the door, as if to bar any egress, and commenced singing
again.
Relief came at last.
Hiram, whose every sense was on the alert, thought he saw the knob of
the door turn. He was not mistaken; for now it commenced partially to
open.
The maniac, feeling the pressure, turned about, leaving the entrance
free--and Dr. Ephraim Peters entered.
He seemed to take in matters at a glance. Addressing the madman in a
calm but commanding tone, he said: 'How is it that you have disobeyed
me? I shall not trust you again. Sit down.'
The effect was electrical.
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