The Elbert County tribune., 1912-01-05
CHAPTER xxII.-continued.


the reptile and taken of the greater
part of that darting scarlet thread
rs neatly as sharp instrument could
snun candle. While the wound
doubtless caused agony to the snake,
1t did not lessen its anger. The pol
son-charged fangs remained In Its
mouth. and the cutting of OF its
tongue swelled its fury to the ultimate
degree.
Britz dropped the pistol on the chif-
fonier and thrust both hands in his
pockets. -
up a tree for fair" he said. Moth
Ing more doing in the artillery line"
That was your last cartridge?"
Britz bent his head affirmativeiy.
An expression of slow wrath gathered
torce in the Headquarters mans face,
as he stared at the swaying serpent
such a short distance below. One
could see he was angry enough to
take the desperate chance Of spring
Ing from his perch and trying to
strike the cobra with his heels. or.
failing that. seizing It by the neck,
seeking to throttle 1t. The instinct OF
Misrepresentation, however, was
stronger than rage. Britz was willing
enough to risk his life in the fulfill
Ing of his duty, so long as the risk
meant fighting chance to him. He
was too sensible absolutely to throw
his life away. and something told him
that in spite-of all the courage in the
world. no man would have an appreci-
able percentage of opportunity in a
battle at close quarters with so ven
omous a serpent. Yet he must get
out OF that house. He felt he was the
only man on the police force who
could be sure Of heading OF the ORR
entails. In that very moment they
might be beyond the city's limits.
bearing the booty he had pursued for
weeks. It was more than his self
poise could stand He gave rein to
his anger, and for the first time in all
the Doctors acquaintance with him he
swore hard and fast and long. His
now Of profanity stopped as suddenly
as II had commenced. He drew one
hand from his pocket. and slowly. as
II he hardly dared to trust his senses,
held up his fingers and looked at what
they clasped. Then he held the OBJ
feet out triumphantly for the physi-
clan to see. It was loaded cartridge
forgotten when last he emptied his
pockets OF their supply OF extra am
munitioni
Wen make no miss with this one."
said the sleuth. Don't you think you
can use 1t batter. doc?"
NO." said Fitch. II am not in your
class when 1t comes to snuf1ng out
serpents' tongues. You may fire when
you, are ready. lieutenant"
Britx grfnned, shook the empty
shells out of the revolver. slipped the
full cartridge into one of the cham
bers and twirled 1t until It paralleled
the barrel. Then. once more using
his arm as rest. he took careful aim.
and was about to pull the trigger,
when tho door was flung open and the
uniformed policeman stood on the
threshold.
WELL" said the bluecoat, excuse
me for buttng in. but thought some
thing might have"
Fitch checked him with an upraised
hand, and the patrolman's eyes al
most burst in their sockets as, lower.
ing his gaze. he saw the up-reaching
death covered by the Headquarters
mans pistol. For a seconds space.
none Of the three men moved. Then a
metallic click broke the suspense,
only to leave It in another instant
more taut than ever as all three re-
allied the cartridge had missed nre.
The bluecoat's hand reached for his
club. Panic-stricken though he had
been at frst sight Of the cobra. he had
the pluck common to the humblest
member of ''the fnest," and he plain
~ meditated taxing the serpent from |
the rear. He would not trust to his
revolver. lest his aim. spoiled by the
Intensity OF the situation. should ny
high and hit one of the two refugees
atop the ohiftonier. But Britz saved