Sergeant Daw’s pistol-shots did not disturb her.” 

 “Pistol-shots? Have you then discovered any cause for this new outrage?”  The rest were silent, so I answered: 

 “We have discovered nothing. I was in the room watching with the Nurse. Earlier in the evening I fancied that the mummy smells were making me drowsy, so I went out and got a respirator. I had it on when I came on duty; but it did not keep me from going to sleep. I awoke to see the room full of people; that is, Miss Trelawny and Sergeant Daw, being only half awake and still stupefied by the same scent or influence which had affected us, fancied that he saw something moving through the shadowy darkness of the room, and fired twice. When I rose out of my chair, with my face swathed in the respirator, he took me for the cause of the trouble. Naturally enough, he was about to fire again, when I was fortunately in time to manifest my identity. Mr. Trelawny was lying beside the safe, just as he was found last night; and was bleeding profusely from the new wound in his wrist. We lifted him on the sofa, and made a tourniquet. That is, literally and absolutely, all that any of us know as yet. We have not touched the knife, which you see lies close by the pool of blood. Look!” I said, going over and lifting it. “The point is red with the blood which has dried.” 

 Doctor Winchester stood quite still a few minutes before speaking: 

 “Then the doings of this night are quite as mysterious as those of last night?” 

 “Quite!” I answered. He said nothing in reply, but turning to Miss Trelawny said: 

 “We had better take Nurse Kennedy into another room. I suppose there is nothing to prevent it?” 

 “Nothing! Please, Mrs. Grant, see that Nurse Kennedy’s room is ready; and ask two of the men to come and carry her in.”  Mrs. Grant went out immediately; and in a few minutes came back saying: 

 “The room is quite ready; and the men are here.”  By her direction two footmen came into the room and, lifting up the rigid body of Nurse Kennedy under the supervision of the Doctor, carried her out of the room. Miss Trelawny remained with me in the sick chamber, and Mrs. Grant went with the Doctor into the Nurse’s room. 

 When we were alone Miss Trelawny came over to me, and taking both my hands in 

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