The thing worked just as I had planned. So brief was the interval
between the opening of my eyes and the fall of the chain that
I could not check it, though it that minute interval I recognized
the face so close to mine as that of my son, Carthoris.
God! What cruel and malign fate had worked to such a frightful
end! What devious chain of circumstances had led my boy to my side
at this one particular minute of our lives when I could strike him
down and kill him, in ignorance of his identity! A benign though
tardy Providence blurred my vision and my mind as I sank into
unconsciousness across the lifeless body of my only son.
When I regained consciousness it was to feel a cool, firm hand
pressed upon my forehead. For an instant I did not open my eyes.
I was endeavouring to gather the loose ends of many thoughts and
memories which flitted elusively through my tired and overwrought
brain.
At length came the cruel recollection of the thing that I had done
in my last conscious act, and then I dared not to open my eyes
for fear of what I should see lying beside me. I wondered who it
could be who ministered to me. Carthoris must have had a companion
whom I had not seen. Well, I must face the inevitable some time,
so why not now, and with a sigh I opened my eyes.
Leaning over me was Carthoris, a great bruise upon his forehead
where the chain had struck, but alive, thank God, alive! There
was no one with him.
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