which she had been when I encountered her, had produced one of those
mental inhibitions in which the mind, to save the reason, obliterates
temporarily not only all memory of the past, but also all present
sights and sounds which may serve to recall it. She looked idly at the
body of the dead man, and I was sure that she saw nothing but the worn
woodwork of the floor.

I saw that it was useless to say anything more upon this subject.

"You are very tired, Jacqueline?" I asked.

"Yes, _monsieur_," she answered, leaning back against my arm.

"And you would like to sleep?"

"Yes, _monsieur_."

I raised her in my arms and laid her on the bed, telling her to close
her eyes and sleep. She was asleep almost immediately after her head
rested Upon the pillow. She breathed as softly as an infant.

I watched her for a while until I heard a distant clock strike three.
This recalled me to the dangers of our situation. I struck a match and
lit the gas in the bedroom. But the yellow glare was so ghastly and
intolerable that I turned it down.

And then I set about the task before me.