The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-09-13

rAom), mentally wondering IT tncs-
thoroughbred. handsome faces we're
hut masks that concealed hideously
reformed souls.
The Professor asked me TO join HIN
after luncheon in his room fos n
cigar. | accepted this invitation With
llacrity.
After we had chatted on many In.
different subjects for time care.
lessly said:
Prof. Boileau, regret one thing
that | never saw this famous cobra
Of yours. She must have been hand.
some reptile
"A beauty--my friend, beauty. It
was great blow to me when she
died. was very fond of my treas
ure in spite Of the cruel harm she
did.
did she know your
Did she know meY She was my
slave and obeyed my every com
mand"
Gould you charm herr"
II never attempted any special feats
with her | used to feed her how
ever and she would allow me to
caress her"
"Did you ever take her from her
eager"
NO. never often thought would
ettempt it, but there was some risk.
you know, and after all, life is sweet"
Il nave read that milk is the favor.
tie diet OF this serpent--is that so?"
yes, the cobra is exceedingly fond
of rice and milk, but there is a root
known as the arrac, for which It has
an absolute passion. II will scent II
for many rods, and will always search
Il out"
rs II possible. That is an inter.
Csting fact"
rs 1t not?" asked the Professor. ris-
ing. II brought a small quantity of
that root from India. | believe there
is bit left in the jar--let me see.
All yes" and going to the carved
cabinet between the windows, he
reached a jar, and, bringing it down,
opened IL, and showed me a small
piece of the root.
Now this" he said. as he held IL
between his finger and thumb. IF the
cobra were here, would be sufficient
to tempt her from the cage. You
might conceal II anywhere in this
room or in the hall yonder or in any
Of these adjoining rooms, and the
serpent, If allowed liberty, would find
and ravenously devour It. Remark
able, isn't it?" and blowing a bit of
dust from the root, he restored II to
the jar and replaced the latter upon
the shelf.
sat silent Could this root have
been the bait with which the serpent
was tempted from It's cage on that
fatal night? II so, by whose hand was
the Turing morsel prepared?
What is your theory" | abruptly
asked. DO you fancy 1t was due
solely to accident that poor Dalrymple
met that frightful end?"
The Professor regarded me stead
tasty for moment. Without doubt"
he answered. you see, Severance.
the cobra was an object of mingled
terror and attraction to the entire
household. The servants often beg
ged permission to enter and watch its
graceful movements. My idea is that
some adventurous person from the
servants quarters slipped in here
after Babu had secured the snake for
the night, and opened the door TO
slide In some dainty. Then, becoming
suddenly alarmed by some real or i'm.
aginary noise, hastily left the room.
leaving the door open, Next morning,
Mortified at the result OF this culpable
negligence, this adventurous one
keeps his own counsel, and doubtless
will forever"
who was the first person to dis.
cover that Dalrymple was dead?-Oh.
yes! remember-his man. Williams
was II not?"
yes"
where is he now?" asked in an
off-hand manner.
Il have not the slightest idea" re-
joined the Professor. HE remained
few weeks after my return. then
betook himself to New York"
Ito be continued.)