Semi-weekly herald., 1912-01-22
column. as one q Ii. suo0esss. sf The

tnat was MS way WncH he WAS IN
particularly tight place: but he rea-
lized the peril by this time as fully as
did the doctor. There was nothing hu-
morous in the fact that all the time
they were held prisoners atop the chit
fonier by the gray death before them.
the Hindoos were doubtless making the
most Of the time thus gained for es-
cape. True, he had asked that all the
ordinary avenues OF escape from the
city be watched, and although he took
1t for granted Chief Manning would
carry out the request conscientiously,
he was not at all confident the men
sent from the Central ONCE and from
the various precinct headquarters
would be proof against the adroitness
of Indian noblemen, adopts. and thugs.
Moreover, II was as good as certain
that the Swami, the Prince, and their
followers would not seek to nee the
city by any ordinary route. Britz him.
self, had he been free to continue the
pursuit, would have looked first to the
most extraordinary modes of Night
compatible with practical conditions.
From what he knew of the men. by
this time It would not amaze him
greatly to find they had left the city
by airship or submarine, slightly i'm
probable as either means OF transit
might have been a few years be-
fore.
Bottled up, doc,' he exclaimed
gloomily.
That's what 1t looks like" assented
Fitch.
Unless" Britz continued. I'VE can
get that gun"
And use It effectively" put in Fitch
I'm something OF shot" the deteo-
tive ventured. meditatively. Maybe
could hit II. and maybe | could get
that gun
His eyes. ranging the room In the
immediate neighborhood of the chif
fonier, had slighted upon the water
pipe The long. flexible rubber stem
of the narghileh was stretched across
the table and the mouthpiece hung
over the back of q chair within a few
feet OF the top of the chiffonier.
TN try It," said the detective dscis
lively. Give hand here. docl"
Fitch hooked one arm about the or
namental knob at the back of the chit.
the detectives left wrist Britt. his
left hand clutching the doctors sleeve
the toe OF his left boot thrust between
the chiffonier and the wall. leaned far
out In an attempt to reach the tube
of the water pipe. He withdrew his
/ arm quickly, however. and gave q little
nervous cough as the drab death that
lay coiled in the middle of the floor
Strengthened It's sinister length and
glided swiftly across the room, then
coiled itself once more directly under
the spot where the detectives stretch
ing fingers had been. Once more the
1 head arose with that strange. sinuous,
swaying motion, and It began to move
slowly back and forth. while the gls-
tening eyes seemed to shoot sparks to-
ward the man who hung at such fear
/ full hazard above it.
! "Geel" said Britt. This Is getting
little too close for comfort. How far
can that thing stretch. doctor?"
( mo higher than that" answered
Fitch. "at least, | think not. | under
stand the cobra can strike only
straight forward"
Sure 1t can't make an upper cut?'
inquired the sleuth.
I'm not going to say positively. I'm
not sure of anything with that kind OF
a brute" Fitch answered. THE best
( way is to take no chances. Let me
/ have u try for the gun"
A bifufcated scarlet thread, the
slender forked togue OF the reptile,
darted in and out of its gaping jaws In
frenzied way. 1t was apparent to
anyone-be he scientist or layman-
that the serpent was in white heat OF
fury. Woe betide the human flesh that
came within reach Of that eager. death
dealing venom.
Britt, though he was known the
length and breadth OF the department
as the coolest proposition under Man
ning's command, frankly shuddered as
/ he watched the undulating menace OF
the serpent's body. and the staccato
play of the tongue that seemed to
mock him with the deadly humor of a
fend He was willing to risk his life,
II need be. to prevent the escape Of
the dark, subtle enemies whose do
moniacal ingenuity had caught him In
such 4 trap, for trapped he seemed to
be beyond the possibility OF escape.
That they had matched their cunning
against his cold, hard. Occidental skill
and common sense, only made him the
more determined to outwit, outplay,
Outright them.
mo, doc" said the detective firmly.
ut was my fool carelesness that Left
that gun on that table. and IT'S W 10
mo to get It. You hold me fast and sit
tight, and II anybody gets stung. It'll
be me-"
Once again Britz, warily watching
the snake, stretched forth his arm.
stretched his fingers until he could al
most feel them crack and strained
his muscles almost beyond endurance.
the while his nerve was subjected to
the severest test OF all his experience.
At last he nipped the smooth amber OF
the pipestems mouthpiece between
the tips OF his first and second 1n-
gers. It was the slightest of Erasps:
but SO steady were the nerves OF the
Headquarters man that although the
cobra in its swaying seemed to ap-
proach ever nearer the arm and naked
| wrist that shrank inyoluntarily from