Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-01
CHAPTER VI.
VeuPeance.


1t strikes a chill through me. even vet.
TO recall the awful horror of that Instant
The fer-de-lance-death in a few heart
beats, and such a death,-a death that
meits a man into an abomination. For a
moment none of us dared move scarcely
dared breathe. and l saw the band of light
from Simmonds' lantern waving uncertain
~ across the floor, the walls, the ceiling
evidently poor Simmonds did not understand
the exact nature of the danger, but only
that IL was terrible one had a mad inn
pulse TO jump, shrieking, for the door and
should probably have done 1t had that quiy-
erlng silence endured moment longer
SimmoHos. give me your lantern" said
Godfrey, with an admirable calmness. Les
Ter, nave your cane ready"
He threw broad band of light upon the
carpet, and keeping carefully within this
path. approached the door, felt for the cleo
tr1c button, and switched on the lights.
Half-blinded for an instant we stood glar
ing at each other, at the floor .
FOR Gods sake" gasped Simmonds. mop
ping the sweat from his face, what is t?''
It's snake said Godfrey tersely. THE
deadliest in the world. If you don't believe
me, look yonder," and he pointed to the
huddled mass on the floor
did not look: l was afraid to; 1 had
already seen too much. l was grateful
when Godfrey jerked down a curtain and
threw 1t over the body. Then he gave Sim
monds the lantern and closed the door,
which we had left open when we entered
NOW, he continued sharply, there's no
use In giving way to our nerves We're in
no danger. but that snake is hid around
here somewhere and the first thing for US
to do Is to find it. Were there two snakes.
Lester?'
No" 1 answered as articulately as
could. Il think not: I never saw but one"
II thought you said Cecily took that one
with her"
Sha
had cover over the cage"
Gocfreys face paled suddenly
Good Cod he murmured
glddlness seized me; l clutched at a
chair for support.
1t had been no accident; she had left
Fe-Fe behind to avenge her-and what
vengeance! She had not laughed and for
gotten
strange scene-the change in Cecily as she
stood watching US from the deck of the
recedlng boat. the pressing against the rail,
the frantic effort TO shout message to
Iremalne-she had relented, she did not
wish to kill him, she loved him yeti But
OF that warning he had caught only a sin
gle word
The bed.' I cried The bed,'
Right" agreed Godfrey incisively and
walked to the bed room door. In an in
slant the inner room was ablaZe with
light. He armed himself with one of Ire
names canes, and together we approach
ed the bed.
Ready. now" he said. and with a sud-
den movement, stripped back the covers
But there was nothing under them.
The pillow, perhaps" he said, and
turned 1t over
There was a quick movement a soft
Kissing, vicious head raised itself, two
eyes of orange fire glared at US
l heard the swish of Godfrey's cane.
and the head fell. Fe-Fe would work no
more evil.
And then, as I looked more closely at
the coils, 1 perceived something else
there-something bright iridescent, glow
Godfrey lifted the mangled body with
the end Of his cane and THREW it into the
middle of the bed. Then he bent over and
picked up-the necklace!
Il was sure we should find 1t here" he
said. But look at it--isn't it beautiful?"
1t was more than that-it was superb.
Not dead white now, but warm, full of
life - was 1t the salt BATH or was 1t
that the cloud had been removed forever
from it's owners lifef AS 1 looked at it
there seemed to be something unearthly
in its beauty-it seemed to be rejoicing!
The snake bit him, probably" added
Godfrey, thoughtfully. as he thrust the
necklace under the pillow. 1t was a fit
ting punishment"
1T was greater than he deserved" I
protested hoarsely. He was not the man
to meet a death like that"
"A man! He was vampire said God
frey sternly. He lived on the lives of
others. Don't let your sentimentalism
blind you, Lester
"Oh, you didn't know him." I cried A
hot resentment of fate was sweeping over
me; l realized that down at the bottom
of my heart, had never really believed
in Tremaine's guilt-even now 1 hardly
believed in it!
Godfrey turned to Simmonds, who stood
contemplating the scene with staring
eyes, his lantern still openin his hand.
IT'S hard luck, Simmonds," he said.
You're not going to get the glory, after
all. But who could have foreseen thing
like this?"
Simmonds opened his mouth and shut
1T again, without uttering a sound.
You'd better notify the coroner" con-
tinued Godfrey, and. l suppose, to be
strictly regular, TIL have to turn this
necklace over to you for the night. Guard
1t well, Simmonds; it's worth a hundred
thousand dollars
What" stammered Simmonds. rs 1t
the-the-the-"
Yes it's the Delroy necklace. You'll
have to go with us to Babylon In the
morning to attend the inquest l fancy
there'l be something of a sensation when
we produce the necklace thereof, Les
ter2" and he laughed a grim little laugh
of anticipatory triumph.
Then he glanced at his watch.
Il must be going" he said. I've got to
fire this story down to the office. What
scoop 1t will be! Till tomorrow, gentle
men"
l heard his footsteps die out along the
hall; then sudden horror of the place
seized me; a deadly loathing; and
groped my way blindly from the room.
(The Enid