from within. It had, indeed, the form and appearance of a door,
but in every other respect it was solid and impassable as the walls
themselves. In vain I searched for bell or knocker, or for some
means of making entry into the house. I found only a scroll fastened
with nails upon a crossbeam over the door, and upon it I read the
words:--"This is the Laboratory of a Vivisector." As I read, the
wailing sound redoubled in intensity, and a noise as of struggling
made itself audible within, as though some new victim had been added
to the first. I beat madly against the door with my hands and
shrieked for help; but in vain. My dress was reddened with the
blood upon the door step. In horror I looked down upon it, then
turned and fled. As I passed along the street, the sounds around
me grew and gathered volume, formulating themselves into distinct
cries and bursts of frenzied sobbing. Upon the door of every house
some scroll was attached, similar to that I had already seen. Upon
one was inscribed:--"Here is a husband murdering his wife:" upon
another:--"Here is a mother beating her child to death:" upon a
third: "This is a slaughter-house."

Every door was impassable; every window was barred. The idea of
interference from without was futile. Vainly I lifted my voice
and cried for aid. The street was desolate as a graveyard; the
only thing that moved about me was the stealthy blood that came
creeping out from beneath the doors of these awful dwellings. Wild
with horror I fled along the street, seeking some outlet, the cries
and moans pursuing me as I ran. At length the street abruptly ended
in a high dead wall, the top of which was not discernible; it seemed,
indeed, to be limitless in height. Upon this wall was written in
great black letters-- "There is no way out."