He spoke
to Mr. Ridley in a kind but firm voice, and drew him a little way
toward an adjoining room, the door of which stood partly open.
"Do the best you can for this poor man," said Mrs. Birtwell, now
addressing Mr. G----. "I will pay all that is required. You know
him, I see."
"Yes, I know him well. A sad case indeed. You may be sure that what
can be done will be done."
At this moment Mr. Ridley gave a cry and a spring toward the door.
Glancing at him, Mrs. Birtwell saw that his countenance was
distorted by terror. Instantly two men came in from the adjoining
room and quickly restrained him. After two or three fruitless
efforts to break away, he submitted to their control, and was
immediately removed to another part of the building.
With white lips and trembling limbs Mrs. Birtwell stood a frightened
spectator of the scene. It was over in a moment, but it left her
sick at heart.
"What will they do with him?" she asked, her voice husky and
choking.
"All that his unhappy case requires," replied Mr. G----. "The man
you saw go first to his side can pity him, for he has himself more
than once passed through that awful conflict with the power of hell
upon which our poor friend has now entered. A year ago he came to
this Home in a worse condition than Mr. Ridley begging us for God's
sake to take him in. A few weeks saw him, to use sacred words,
'clothed and in his right mind,' and since then he has never gone
back a single step.
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