Suddenly the door was burst open, and in rushed my patient, with his face distorted with passion.

I was thunderstruck, for such a thing as a patient getting of his own accord into the Superintendent's study is almost unknown.
Without an instant's notice he made straight at me.

He had a dinner knife in his hand, and as I saw he was dangerous, I tried to keep the table between us.

He was too quick and too strong for me, however, for before I could get my balance he had struck at me and cut my left wrist rather severely.
Before he could strike again, however, I got in my right hand and he was sprawling on his back on the floor.

My wrist bled freely, and quite a little pool trickled on to the carpet.