It came out of the third storey; for it passed overhead. And overhead--yes, in the room just above my chamber-ceiling--I now heard a struggle: a deadly one it seemed from the noise; and a half-smothered voice shouted--

     "Help! help! help!" three times rapidly.

     "Will no one come?" it cried; and then, while the staggering and stamping went on wildly, I distinguished through plank and plaster:--

     "Rochester! Rochester! for God's sake, come!"

     A chamber-door opened: some one ran, or rushed, along the gallery. Another step stamped on the flooring above and something fell; and there was silence.