The little audience held its breath in the suspense of the moment.

Selina broke the silence, calling out shrilly: "Ain't Doctor McTeague just that strong!" Marcus heard it, and his fury came instantly to a head.

Rage at his defeat at the hands of the dentist and before Selina's eyes, the hate he still bore his old-time "pal" and the impotent wrath of his own powerlessness were suddenly unleashed.
"God damn you! get off of me," he cried under his breath, spitting the words as a snake spits its venom.

The little audience uttered a cry.
With the oath Marcus had twisted his head and had bitten through the lobe of the dentist's ear.

There was a sudden flash of bright-red blood.
Then followed a terrible scene.