He had thought of raising the parish, of condign punishment of many sorts, but not this.

As he closed the door softly, killing entered his mind and stayed there.

"Thou shalt not" had been the first instigation to "Thou shalt." It haunted him as he returned to his room, undressed himself, and went to bed.

He could not sleep.

"Show me a sign from Heaven, tailor-man!" The challenge had been to himself.