street. What man was that coming in the distance? Was it
Rayel? No, that was scarcely possible. I had only caught a
momentary glimpse of him in the quick flash. He was tall and
erect like Rayel, and I thought the hat was his. But my
imagination must have tricked me after all, for nothing
showed clearly. I walked back a few steps and listened. I
could hear no footsteps, but then he might have followed me,
and I ought to be sure. So I called, "Rayel! Rayel!" twice,
and waited for an answer, but could hear none. I had not
time to go back to our rooms, as Hester was undoubtedly
waiting for me now, and Rayel was certainly not the man I
had seen, or he would have answered me. So I hurried along
without giving any further thought to my fears. But where
was Third Avenue? Its character was not then so sharply
defined as in these days of elevated rail-roads--perhaps I
had passed it. I had already walked a long distance, and I
had not yet recognized that thoroughfare. I could hear
footsteps behind me and I determined to wait a moment and
inquire my way.

"I am going there--walk along with me," said the man whom I
questioned. Just then we passed under a street lamp. I
observed that he wore a large coat and muffler and that he
was walking under an umbrella. Another man, also under an
umbrella, fell in with us at the next corner. As we walked
along in silence I heard some person coming at a run down
the street quite a distance behind us. I was listening to
this sound when I received a terrific blow on the back of
the head. I fell forward, one side of my face striking
heavily upon the pavement. Strangely enough, I seemed unable