Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/271

Rh qualities which go to the complete enjoyment of the jokes she plays, I lack. The laughter she compels has characteristics which I do not find altogether to my taste. It gets upon my brain; steals my sleep; nips my heart; fills the world with—faces; grinning faces, all of them—like his. And so I'm resolved to tell the joke, and I promise that it shan't be spoilt in telling." This with a smile upon his lips, a something elusive in his eyes, which, to my mind, again betrayed the lunatic. He threw out his arms with a burst of sudden wildness. "Let them all come in—the whole street—the city-ful! So that as many as may be may be gathered together for the enjoyment of the joke!"

Symonds and I exchanged glances. I spoke to him in an undertone.

"If you take my advice, you will listen to what he has to say. Before he's finished, the whole story will have come out."

All the time there had been knockings at the door. Now some one without made himself prominent above the others. A shout came through the panels.

"Symonds! Is that you in there? Shall we break down the door?"

The voice was Hume's. I proffered a suggestion to the inspector.

"There is no reason why Dr. Hume should