Doctor Dormann pointed through the parted curtains to the lofty cell,ventilated from the top,and warmed (like the Watchman's Chamber)by an apparatus under the flooring.In the middle of the cell was a stand,placed there to support the coffin.Above the stand a horizontal bar projected,which was fixed over the doorway.It was furnished with a pulley,through which passed a long thin string hanging loosely downward at one end,and attached at the other to a small alarm-bell,placed over the door on the outer side--that is to say,on the side of the Watchman's Chamber.
"All the cells are equal in size,"said the doctor to Mr.Keller,"and are equally clean,and well warmed.The hot bath,in another room,is always ready;and a cabinet,filled with restorative applications,is close by.Now look at the watchman,and mark the care that is taken--in the event,for instance,of a cataleptic trance,and of a revival following it."Duntzer led the way into the cell.He took the loose end of the string,hanging from above,and attached to it two shorter and lighter strings,each of which terminated in five loose ends.
From these ten ends hung ten little thimble-shaped objects,made of brass.
First slightly altering the position of the couch on the stand,Duntzer lifted the dead hands--fitted the ten brass thimbles to the fingers and the thumbs--and gently laid the hands back on the breast of the corpse.
When he had looked up,and had satisfied himself of the exact connection between the hands and the line communicating with the alarm-bell outside,his duty was done.He left the cell;and,seating himself in his chair,waited the arrival of the night-watchman who was to relieve him.
Mr.Keller came out into the chamber,and spoke to the overseer.
"Is all done now?"
"All is done."
"I should like,while I am here,to speak to you about the grave."The overseer bowed."You can see the plan of the cemetery,"he said,"in my office on the other side of the building."Mr.Keller looked back into the cell.Jack had taken his place in it,when the couch had been carried in;and Doctor Dormann was quietly observing him.Mr.Keller beckoned to Jack."I am waiting for you,"he said."Come!""And leave Mistress?"Jack answered."Never!"Mr.Keller was on the point of stepping into the cell,when Doctor Dormann took his arm,and led him away out of hearing.
"I want to ask you a question,"said the doctor."Was that poor creature's madness violent madness,when Mrs.Wagner took him out of the London asylum?""I have heard her say so."
"Be careful what you do with him.Mrs.Wagner's death has tried his weak brain seriously.I am afraid of a relapse into that violent madness--leave him to me."Mr.Keller left the room with the overseer.Doctor Dormann returned to the cell.
"Listen to me,Jack,"he said."If your mistress revives (as you think),I want you to see for yourself how she will tell it to the man who is on the watch."He turned,and spoke to Duntzer."Is the alarm-bell set?""Yes,sir."
The doctor addressed himself once more to Jack.
"Now look,and listen!"he said.
He delicately touched one of the brass thimbles,fitted to the fingers of the corpse.The bell rang instantly in the Watchman's Chamber.
"The moment the man hears that,"he resumed,"he will make the signal,which calls the overseer and the nurses to help your mistress back to life.At the same time,a messenger will be sent to Mr.Keller's house to tell you what has happened.You see how well she is taken care of--and you will behave sensibly,I am sure?I am going away.Come with me."Jack answered as he had answered Mr.Keller.
"Never!"he said.
He flung himself on the floor,and clasped his arms round one of the pillars supporting the stand on which the couch was placed."Tear my arms out of their sockets,"he cried--"you won't get me away till you've done that!"Before the doctor could answer,footsteps were heard in the Watchman's Chamber.A jolly voice asked a question."Any report for the night,Duntzer?"Jack seemed to recognize the voice.He looked round eagerly.
"A corpse in Number Five,"Duntzer answered."And strangers in the cell.
Contrary to the order for the night,as you know.I have reported them;it's your duty to send them away.Good night."A red-nosed old man looked in at the doorway of the cell.Jack started to his feet."Here's Schwartz!"he cried--"leave me with Schwartz!"
CHAPTER XVIII
The discovery of Jack agreeably surprised Schwartz,without in the least perplexing him.
His little friend (as he reasoned)had,no doubt,remembered the invitation to the Deadhouse,and had obtained admission through the interference of the strange gentleman who was with him.But who was the gentleman?The deputy night-watchman (though he might carry messages for his relative the nurse)was not personally acquainted with his sister's medical patrons in Frankfort.He looked at the doctor with an expression of considerable doubt.
"I beg your pardon,sir,"he ventured to say,"you're not a member of the city council,are you?""I have nothing to do with the city council.""And nothing to do with managing the Deadhouse?""Nothing.I am Doctor Dormann."
Schwartz snapped his clumsy fingers,as an appropriate expression of relief."All right,sir!Leave the little man with me--I'll take care of him.""Do you know this person?"asked the doctor,turning to Jack.
"Yes!yes!leave me here with him,"Jack answered eagerly."Good-night,sir--good-night!"Doctor Dormann looked again at Jack's friend.
"I thought strangers were not allowed here at night,"he said.
"It's against the rules,"Schwartz admitted."But,Lord love you,sir,think of the dullness of this place!Besides,I'm only a deputy.In three nights more,the regular man will come on duty again.It's an awful job,doctor,watching alone here,all night.One of the men actually went mad,and hanged himself.To be sure he was a poet in his way,which makes it less remarkable.I'm not a poet myself--I'm only a sociable creature.