The Shrieking Pit

vily, his face flushed, his eyes nearly closed. Sir Henry drew up the blind, and by the additional light examined him thoroughly, listening closely

rtly afterwards. But there are certain peculiar features about this case which are new in my experience, and rather alarm me. Certainly the young man ought

have exchanged nods with him every morning. His principal recreation seems to lie in taking long solitary walks along the coast. He has be

do not wish to leave him, but his friends should be teleg

send the telegram w

booked his room by a trunk call from London. On arrival he had filled in the registration paper in the name of James Ronald, but had left blank the s

s very awkward. I hardly know, in the circumstances, how to act. Speaking as a medical man, I say that he should not be left alone, but if h

g from. I was under the impression it was a bad case of shell-shock, but your remarks suggest that it

alertness and intellectuality of the other's face. It was a fine strong face, with a pair of lumino

This gentleman has not consulted me professionally, and I hardly feel justified in confiding my hurried and imperfect diagnosis of his case, without his knowledge, t

name is Colwy

us American detec

ood enough

There are many people on both sides of the Atlantic who regard you as a public

y n

like an America

e long enough to learn the langu

aughed good

the question. I have no hesitation in confiding in you. I am Sir Henry

into the heaven of Harley Street and fat fees by the ladder of social influence which a wealthy, well-born wife had provided, with no qualifications of his own except "the best bedside manner in England" and a thorough knowledge of the weaknesses of the feminine temperament. But his admirers-and they were legion-declare

than his due. "In my opinion, the symptoms of this young man point to epilepsy, an

Haut or p

rm-petit mal,

esser form of the disease the victim merely suffered from slight seizures of transient unconsciousness, witho

on of the nervous system like epilepsy. You are more or less right in your definition of petit mal. But that is the simple form, without complications. In t

beyond my depth, Sir Henry.

patient during an attack of petit mal. The manifestation is extre

mmitted the most violent outrages against those nearest and

ted towards strangers-rarely towards loved

mptoms-his nervous tremors, his excitability, and the extravagant action with the knife-as premonitory symptoms

nife into the table pointed strongly to the complication of furor epileptic. Th

would attack on

ommit murder if they are in possession of a weapon. There have been ca

eing consc

fused sense of something having happened to him-like a man awakened from a bad dream, which he cannot recall. This young man may come to his senses without remembering anything which occurred

from his table, to attack the group at the table

have attacked the first person within his

ry the knife with

ough you thought a victim of furor epilepticus was a rational being. He is nothing of the kind. While t

g up my opinion against yours, Sir Henry, but there are certain aspects of this young man's illness which are not altogether consistent with my own experience of epileptics. As a criminologist, I have given some study to the effect of epilepsy and

se presents several unusual features, but, in my opinion, there is nothing absolutely inconsistent with epilepsy, combined with furor epilepticus. And here is one

As he did so the young man's eyes unclosed. He regarded Colwyn

you?" he

anner. "Just take things easily. You have been ill, but you are almost yourself again.

nging off his bed and regarding his visitors keenly. There was no

pened? How di

to your room," interposed Colwyn tac

more about it. I hope I didn't make too much of an ass of myself before the others, going off like a girl in that way. You must have h

Sir Henry Durwood solemnly, d

got a touch of sun when I was out there"-he waved his hand vaguely towards the East-"and it gives me a

avagance downstairs. But to Colwyn it was apparent that his composure was simulated, the effort of a sensitive man who had betrayed a weakness to strangers, for the fingers which held a cigarette trembled slightly, and there were troubled shadows in the dept

professional privileges as a fashionable ladies' physician that she was in the habit of administering strong doses of matrimonial truths to him every night at home. Sir Henry settled himself in his chair, adjust

th you who understood your case. With your-er-complaint, it is very desirable that you should not be left to the mercy of strangers. I would advise, strongly advise you, to com

sented the specialist's advice; indeed, his glance plainly revealed that

but I think I shall be ab

plaint," said the specialist. An oracular sh

laint, as you term it, to be

d have the courage to tell a stranger that he regarded him as an epileptic. The matter was not put to the test-perhaps fortunately-for

ance at the tall handsome young man by the mantelpiece, "Lady

band. "Tell Lady Durwood I will come at once," he said. "You'll excuse me," he added, w

ecialist, but smiled cordially and held out his hand to Colwyn, as the latter p

he young man's place was vacant. After the meal Colwyn went to the office to inquire if Mr. Ronald was sti