The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-02-05

tim, OF is killed-unless something
more startling happens to distract its
attention"
Rather looks as II we we're trap
ped" Brltz said
Somewhat" rejoined Fitch. We're
here to stay unless that reptile goes"
Can we kill 1t, do you think?" asked
the detective.
I'VE might II we had a machine gun
have you got plstol?"
"T brought one into the room" an
swersd Britt. feeling in his pockets.
"but laid It on that table when was
gulns through those drawers. Pretty
enroless. eh
Fitch colded lie was rackjug his
wits for some means OF escape which
meant. so far as he could see a meth
cd of killing the snake. It seemed use
less to expect help from outside the
house. The door between the hall and
the room in which they were was
closed, and before it hung portieres
heavy enough to muffle their loudest
shouts. Their only probable chance of
relief lay in the hope that the blue
coat would become sufficiently anxious
at their failure TO return and would
enter the house In quest Of them.
Even I'm that rather remote contin-
gency. however, It was far from Ger.
tain they could warn him before the
cobra could glide across the room aud
strike him to death. No, they we're
thrown utterly upon their own re-
sources. Britz agreed with the doctor
on that point. as in low tones, so that
they might not further infame the SER
pent, they discussed their situation.
Guess there's nothing accidental
about this little sunshine being in the
room" said Britz musingly. Those
Oriental strong-armers probably fig
ured It out that one or both of us
would come here, and so they arranged
this pleasing little surprise party.
think It is worthy a place in the society
columns as one of the successes of the
season"
He made light of the danger because
that was his way when he was In a
particularly tight place; but he rea-
llzed 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 chif-
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
it for granted Chief Manning would
, carry out the request conscientlously
he was not at all confident the men
sent from the Central Office and from
the various precinct hcadquarters
would be proof against the adroitness
! of Indian noblemen, adopts, and thugs
y Moreover, 10 was as good as certain
y that the Swami the Prince, and theii
, followers would not seek to fee tbs
city by any ordinary route. Brltz him
self, had he been free TO continue tn,
l pursuit, would have looked first to tn,
most extraordinary modes of figh
l compatible with practical conditions
From what he knew of the men, b.
this time II would not amaze hin
4 greatly to find they had left the cit.
\ by airship or submarine, slightly i'm
probable as either means OF transi
might have been few years be
fore.
Bottled up, doc!" he exclaimed
gloomily.
That's what It looks like" assenteC
J Fitch.
/. Unless" Britz continued. I'VE car
Z get that gun"
And use 1t effectively" put in Fitch
: I'm something of a shot" the detec
: tive ventured, meditatively. "Mayb,
could hit 1t, and maybe l could ge
: that gun"
, His eyes, ranging the room in th'
4 immediate neighborhood of the chit
q fonier, had alighted upon the waite
pipe. The long, flexible rubber sten
of the narghieh was stretched acros
IS the table and the mouthpiece hum
h over the back Of a chair within a few
L. feet Of the top of the chiffonier.
4, I'm try IT," said the detective decis
s. lively. GIVE a hand here, doc!"
s, Fitch hooked one arm about the OF
% namental knob at the back of the chit
+" fcnier, and with his free hand grippe,
c. the detectives left wrist. Britz. hi
A. left hand clutchlng the doctors sleeve
y the toe of his left boot thrust betweel
n the chiffonier and the wall, leaned ia
a. out in an attempt to reach the tub
d of the water pipe. Ee withdrew hi
a. arm quickly, however, and save littl
n nervous cough as the drab death tina
s. lay coiled in the middle of the foo
straightened It's sinister length an
e, glided swiftly across the room, the
e. coiled itself once more directly unde
" the spot where the detectives stretch
e. ing fingers had been. Once more tn
3r head arose with that strange, sinuou'
sr swaying motion, and It began to NOV
1t slowly back and forth, while the gli'
W tening eyes seemed to shoot sparks tC
ID ward the man who hung at such feal
a full hazard above IT,
II "Geel" said Brltz "Thls is gsttin
Pr a little too close for comfort. How ia
le can that thing stretch, doctor?"
o. mo higher than that" answere