Before he could be prevented he started from his bed, and dashing aside the feeble opposition offered by Nizza and the doctor, ran along the ambulatory, uttering a loud and fearful cry.

Finding the door of the winding staircase open, he darted through it, and in a few seconds reappeared in the aisle.

Hearing the cries, several persons rushed to meet him; but on beholding his haggard looks and strange appearance--he was merely wrapped in a blanket,--they instantly recoiled.

Mean-time, Doctor Hodges, who had run to one of the arched openings looking on the nave, called out to them to secure the fugitive.

But all fled at his approach; and when he reached the door of the southern transept, the verger, instead of attempting to stop him, retreated with a cry of alarm.