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But that was only for an instant; it was too late to go back. He

positively smiled at himself, when suddenly another terrifying

idea occurred to his mind. He suddenly fancied that the old woman

might be still alive and might recover her senses. Leaving the

keys in the chest, he ran back to the body, snatched up the axe

and lifted it once more over the old woman, but did not bring it

down. There was no doubt that she was dead. Bending down and

examining her again more closely, he saw clearly that the skull

was broken and even battered in on one side. He was about to feel

it with his finger, but drew back his hand and indeed it was

evident without that. Meanwhile there was a perfect pool of

blood. All at once he noticed a string on her neck; he tugged at

it, but the string was strong and did not snap and besides, it

was soaked with blood. He tried to pull it out from the front of

the dress, but something held it and prevented its coming.