The Opposite House: A Novel — page 186: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Opposite House. 181] wrenched himself free with almost superhuman effort and rushed back into the room ; drops of cold perspiration stood on his brow, and his eyes blazed with the light of insanity in their deep sockets. Taking refuge behind a table, he drew a pistol from his breast-pocket. Ppcouncrel ts WVretch !’ he miuttered, through his set teeth, as the men pressed toward him. “T’ll shoot down like a dog the first person who dares to touch me! The devil knows I’ve no idea of jesting. Kihn! Wikke!” he roared, clenching his fist. ‘‘ Where is Kithn?” The officers fell back a moment before the mad- man who was brandishing the pistol at them. The trigger snapped under his fingers, and his eyes rolled with savage resolution. Wikke had already been arrested and led out of the room. Brand leaned against the wall, his face blanched to the hue of death, his white teeth glittered between his drawn lips. The policemen had formed a circle round the croupier, while a lieutenant turned to the trembling gamblers, who, with quiet resignation, awaited their fate. A compassionate expression hovered around the officer’s lips as he noted the reputable names of the boyish prisoners. Then he was obliged to direct his whole attention to Doctor Brand, who, with sav- age threats, maintained his place. A painful pause Comicloo® S 5}