Graham guardian., 1912-02-02

at the other, and they stood pulling
in opposite directions, thus tightening
the loop about the pistol. When the
grip Of the tube on the weapon was
firm enough, 1t was comparatively
easy to swing the revolver from the
table to the chifonier. Britz gripped
the gun with an intake Of breath that
betokened satisfaction.
Now, then. doc." he said briskly.
Let's see II we cant put the reverse
English on that Garden Of Eden epi-
sode. Here's where the seed OF the
woman bruises the serpent with his
heel"
II would advise you to do your
bruising at long Distance" said Fitch.
"and unless you have more cartridges
about you. wouldn't waste shot
You won't ind It easy to hit him"
Brftz In moment or two realized
the doctor spoke true. The swaying.
neutral-tinted body was no easy mark
for the most practiced marksman.
His first shot went wide. The bullet
imbedded itself In leg OF the table
with rasping sound that only infuri.
ated the cobra the more. Britx his
nerve slightly shaken by the miss.
fired again quickly. shivered the bowl
OF the narghileh, and caused the
snake to oscillate more and more rio
lently. It became apparent he would
gain nothing by aiming at It's head.
I'm have try at him 'midships," /"
he said.
Only three loaded cartridges re-.
mained In the revolver, and as Britx
found no extra ones in any Of his
pockets. he knew he must make the
most Of those he had. A third time
the pistol cracked. The bullet graxed
the serpent's flesh. It did not injurs
the spine. Quickly the upraised part
Of the body sank upon the coil, but It
reared itself again IN an instant, and
the furious darting Of the tongue re-
vealed that the reptile was more en-
ragged than ever.
Want to take crack at II, door"
asked the detective, handing the
weapon to the physician.
Fitch had no poor idea Of himself
as q fancy shot, but he found his
muscular control too sadly shaken BY
his narrow escape from the cobra TO
shoot straight. His shot--the fourth
was q wider miss than any OF the de-
tective's had been. He handed the
pistol back to the Headquarters man
and shook his head.
you're the man to stay on the Or.
ing line." he said.
Britz eyed the revolver grimly. In
its blue-sreel chamber were four
empty cartridges and only one that
held the potentiality OF release from
their dangerously uncertain refuge on
the chiffonier. Crooking his left arm,
he used the angle made by his elbow
as a rest and leveled the long blue
barrel Of the big-calibered weapon
steadily. Pausing until the swaying
Of the serpent diminished as much a.
It apparently was going to do. he
fred.
A writhing. twisting snarl was the
result The cobra coiled and uncoiled
with electric rapidity. travelling in cir.
cles all over the space between the
chiffonier and the table whence Brits
had lassoed the pistol Plainly the
reptile was hit-mortally wounded. no
thought, but as he started to descend
impatiently, Fitch seized him and lit
orally flung him back on the chiffon
ier's smooth top.
"Not yet" said the doctor. nervous
ly. Lets wait minute"
It was profitable patience. For after
probably minute Of terrible struggle.
the cobra returned to its coil and
once more reared It's head. The gray
body throbbed fiercely, but closer
scrutiny showed the man the snake
had not been hit with fatal result.
Suddenly the physician seized Britz'
arm In a nervous grasp.
by Jupiter!" he exclaimed
You've shot out IN tongue!"
(To BE CONTINUED.)