"At this stage of my reflections I endeavored to remember, and did
remember, with entire distinctness, every incident which occurred
about the period in question. The weather was chilly (oh rare and
happy accident!), and a fire was blazing on the hearth. I was heated
with exercise and sat near the table. You, however, had drawn a
chair close to the chimney. Just as I placed the parchment in your
hand, and as you were in the act of inspecting it, Wolf, the
Newfoundland, entered, and leaped upon your shoulders. With your
left hand you caressed him and kept him off, while your right, holding
the parchment, was permitted to fall listlessly between your knees,
and in close proximity to the fire. At one moment I thought the
blaze had caught it, and was about to caution you, but, before I could
speak, you had withdrawn it, and were engaged in its examination. When
I considered all these particulars, I doubted not for a moment that
heat had been the agent in bringing to light, on the parchment, the
skull which I saw designed on it.
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