Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-08-17

upper part of the BoUso, the two men
descended to the main floor and re-
entered the reception room at the
rear.
"This was their den," said Britz ex.
planatory, as he began closer search
Of the room. I'VE may find trace OF
them in some Of their papers. IT'S
worth a few minutes to make hunt.
Get busy, doc!" And the detective
rummaged through drawer after draw.
er, Fitch following his example. They
found many unusual articles, but
nothing that gave an inkling OF the d.
rection OF the Hindoos' fiight--for II
was certain tho Orientals had depart.
ed hastily, having gained their object
in getting possession Of the Missioner
necklace. Britt had no smallest doubt
the Fasteners had anticipated him
in the burglary Of Mrs. Delaroches
apartments. He did not believe any
Of the low-caste Hindoos would have
been skilful enough to get into the
woman's rooms, SO near the top of the
building. In his opinion, tho gems had
/ Decu UICu6u lIOIlI piiiOW
! By either the Swami or the Prince
It was typical Of the clever cunning
OF the high-caste Orientals to take
only the jewels and leave the casket
under the pillow, so that Mrs. Della
roche should not miss the stones un-
til the last moment possible. They
must have picked the lock
Britz had ended his exploration Of
the last table drawer, and was turning
to r lacquered desk, when Fitch, with
cry Of unmistakable alarm, gripped
his wrist and dragged him toward the
divan, and with a bound stood upon
its yielding surface.
Jump up, quick" said the doctor,
plucking at the detectives arm as he
spoke.
Britt had experienced too many
emergencies in his career TO waste
time in qunestions When anyone OF
him to jump. run, or duck. obedience
to the command was his first instinct
time enough for explanation after
ward He lcn0od - tfo r-'''----' -c'ra
beside the physician, and turned to
find the doctors arm stretched tense
ly, ending in a quivering forefnger
that pointed at something moving
across the space between the dlvan
and door, Even as the two looked at
It, the motion OF the creature ceased,
and two beady eyes were turned IN
their direction. Fitch dragged the
detective to the other end Of the sofa
and began climbing to the top OF
tall chiffonier that stood against the
wall. Britt needed no further word
from his friend. The physician
haste was sufficient indication that
they were in grave peril. and though
tho tall chest of drawers made slip
perry climbing, he was beside the doc
tor with marvellous quickness. When
both were safely on the top OF the
chiffonier, Fitch lowered a foot and
with a powerful shove sent the divan
yard or more away. Then he drew
his feet to the top Of their perch, and
babe Britt do the same. That done,
Fitch mopped his brow with a hand
kerchief, which, crisp one instant. was
limp the next
Pretty close CALL" he said. when
speech was restored to him.
What is IT." asked Britt.
What is IT," exclaimed the doctor.
well. only the most dangerous thing
infinite wisdom has seen fit to place
in that wonderland of the East"
Shaker" asked the detective.
the word, man. It is the most poison
Gus serpent known to scientists-the
terrible cobra di capello, Of Hindo-
stan. A single touch Of Its fangs is
the beginning of the end-the way to
q swift finish"
Hurt much?" asked the detective,
coolly.
1T is said to be the most frightfu'
torture man can SUPPLEMENTARY by
a cobras poison. Science has not vel
found an antidote. II RATHER bites
you, you may save your life with
whisky II you get it soon enough
When cobra sets his teeth in you
you don't have time TO drink the whis
ky, even II the glass is at your lips
and nobody knows whether it would dC
any good If you had time to drink it.
A long low whistle was the detec
. tive's only expression Of his apprecia
ton of their predicament. His study
of Oriental lore did not acquaint hin
, with the characteristics OF the cobra
But the doctor was scientist, anC
: Britz WAS willing to take the informa
. ton on trust. 1t was a situation il
which he felt he could afford TO dis
. peuse with experimental knowledge.
, The thick, beautifully rounded snake
: ashen In color and sinuous of move
ment. apparently was not alarmed b,
the scramble Of the doctor and the de
tective to the top OF the chiffonier, no
9 even by the swing OF the divan unde
O the vigorous push OF Fitch's foot l
o lowered the head 1t had lifted a few
J. inches from the floor, and continued
d its passage across the room; but {
G short, dry laugh from the sleuth evi
3 IDENTIFY angered 1t more than any loude
Q noises. 1t stopped midway Of the
/. room, turning It's head once more to
ward the men on their narrow perch
!. An involuntary SILVER ran through
Fitch. and even Britt felt little I'm
comfortable under the serpent's gilt
!, tering gaze. The creature coiled itsel
in the center of the floor. It's head lift
=. ed, and those beady eyes twinklini