Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1910-04-12

the evening had combined to upset m.
nerves, and It was with a vague feel
ing of dread that / accompanied hin
on what seemed a FOOLS errand. Ye
there was decidedly uncomfortable
feeling that could not suppress
Twice | looked behind me quickly, ant
twice l saw nothing but the long
sharp shadows cast by the electric
lights. Lawrence seemed unconscious
Of my mental excitement, for he strobe
quietly by my side with bent head and
hands in his pockets Il was relief
to get into the warmly lighted vesti.
bule, for there | no longer heard the
imaginary soft -pad-pad of feet behind
us. had carried the box i'm a hand
| bag and its weight was such that ]
was glad to turn 1t over to my host,
who excused himself and disappeared
into the smoking room. Presently he
returned.
/ saw that something was on his
mind
"See here, Dick" he began seriously,
"Grace-Miss Farnham-is not aware
of my return If / should be taken
i'll or anything she must not know the
circumstances Give her this letter,
which win explain enough. If nothing
happens forget it all like the good fel-
low you are" And as he clasped my
hand and looked into my eyes l knew
that he had guessed my secret.
Now for the hand of Buddha," he
cried, with a laugh, and together we
entered the handsome smoking room
1t was a large room, crowded with
treasures from every quarter Of the
globe. In the middle of the room stood
small ebony table, the top inlaid
with squares Of ivory like a checker
board. On it stood the hand of
Buddha. 1t was the size of an in
fant's hand and carved from a solid
piece Of ivory, yellowed with unknown
age. The curved, long nailed fingers
cl0sped the stem OF a delicately carved
flower 1t was a horrible object 1t
looked like q dead hand.
l could not repress my excitement
as Lawrence locked the door and bade
me bring him the box from diyan
where he had placed it. was sur
prlsed to see that his face was white
and strained and that his hands trem-
bled as he took the box from my grasp.
He placed it on the table, and we took
up our station near the door, both
looking eagerly at the table The air
seemed heavy with some strong per-
fume but that was undoubtedly the
result Of the long closed room with
its sandalwood furniture and scented
hangings.
Suddenly the table seemed to sway
Slightly and the hand toppled over,
striking the box, and then Lawrence
Sprang back, with a hoarse shout. as
the curved fingers loosened their hold
on the flower and twined around and
clung TO the box. Gropingly they
,rawled over the carved flowers and
birds then, as we gazed breathlessly.
/ faint vapor curled around the edges
# the box. 1t grew in volume, and
heard Lawrence unlock the door be-
lind us. Then the lid raised At first
could not see the object that pro-
.ruded itself. Then its horrible form
grew on my sight. The long, slnuous
body Of a serpent as large around as
my arm issued from that tiny casket.
Its red fangs were like crimson stains
)n the milky whiteness Of its skin 1t
raised itself far above the table, the
lideous head swaying to and fro, its
green eyes cleaning like jewels in the
Of the room and pierc-
ng the faint vapor that surrounded
i. The incense seemed overpower.
ng. and ] felt that I was losing CON
when Lawrence raised a
'evolver.
My hand was on the knob when he !
ired A crimson stream flowed from !,
he hideous thing, but still it raised It's ]
ength into the air Lawrence fred !
gain and yelled for me to open the !
loor. As did so heard a stranglcd
ry and turned to see Lawrence fall
Nc to the 1oor the white serpent
oiled tightly around his body. Grasp
ne 4 Turkish scimiter that hung ON
be wall beside me and mad with rage
nd grief, | thrust the cleaning knife
gain and again into the slnuous body
f the reptile, which never relaxed its
cid, its head still uplifted, with red
lnged mouth and jeweled eyes. Sud
enly everything turned black before
le and I lost consciousness. When
regained my senses the light was
I'LL burning dimly The window dra-
cries were stirring softly, and, to my
)y, | heard Lawrence's voice calling
/ strained, unnatural tones He was
owly struggling to his feet, and
rose and went to his assistance. His
zee was CHASTITY, and around his
lroat, above his low collar, was a
lli purple llue. He pointed to the
Dor as he sank feebly into chair.
he white serpent was gone but on
le dark rug lay 4 Ions chain COM
X Al