The sudden sight of Medusa's head could hardly have had a more petrifying effect.

The victim himself was the first to recover.

Stretching his arms and legs in relief, he sat up, and coolly said,-- "Thank you." "Whatever does all this mean ?" exclaimed Railsford, helping him to rise, for he was very stiff and cramped.
"That I cannot say.

Kindly reach my hat, Ainger." "Who has done this ?" "That, too, I cannot say.

I can walk, thank you." "Won't you come to my room and have something?
You really must," said Railsford, taking his arm.
Mr Bickers disengaged his arm, and said coldly, "Thank you, no; I will go to my own, if you will open the door." Arthur at this moment came up officiously with a glass of water, which Mr Bickers drank eagerly, and then, declining one last offer of assistance, went slowly out towards his own house.
Railsford retired to his room and threw himself into his chair in a state of profound dejection.