Graham guardian., 1912-02-09
CHAPTER xxII. Continued.

True enough. The NTH bullet had
passed between the gaping jaws OF
the reptile and taken OF the greater
part OF that darting scarlet thread
as neatly a. q sharp instrument could
snuff q candle. While the wound
doubtless caused agony to the snake,
It did not lessen its anger. The pol
.son-charged fangs remained In IL
mouth. and the cutting OF OF IL
tongue swelled its fury to the ultimate
degree.
Brits dropped the pistol on the chif-
fonier and thrust both hands In his
pockets.
"Up 4 tree for FAIR" he said. Moth
Ing more doing In the artillery line.
"That waA your last cartridge?"
Britx bent his head afdrmatively.
An expression Of slow wrath gathered
force In the Headquarters mans face.
a. he stared at the swaying ssrpent
such 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 It. The instinct OF
self-preservation. however, was
stronger than rage. Britz was willing
enough to risk his life in the fulfill
ing Of his duty. 20 long 20 the risk
meant nghting chance to him. He,
was too sensibls 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 =
battle ct close quarters with 20 VEN
omous . 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 on the ORR
entails. In that very moment they
might be beyond tho city's limits.
bearing the booty be 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
dow Of profanity stopped as suddenly
O. II had commenced. He drew one
hand from his pocket, and slowly, as
n he hardly dared to trust his senses.
held up his fingers and looked at what
they clasped. Then he held the OBJ
ject out tfiumphsntly for the physi-
clan to see. It was q loaded cartridge
forgotten when last he emptied his
pockets Of their supply Of extra ann
munition!
"We1l make no miss with this one."
said the sleuth. Don't you think you
can use 1t better, doc7"
"No." said Fitch, II am not in your
class when 1t comes to snuffing out
serpents' tongues. You may IRE when
you are ready. lieutenant"
Brits grinned. 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 az q rest. he took careful aim,
and was about to pull the trigger.
when the door was fiuny open and the
uniformed policeman stood on the
threshold.
WELL" said the bluecoat. excuse
me for butting 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 AZ. lower
ing his gaze. no saw tho up-reaching
death covered BY the Headquarters
mans pistol. For . seconds space.
mono Of the three men moved Then q
metallic click broke the suspense,
only to leave II In another instant
more taut than ever as all three re-
allied the cartridge had missed fire.
The bluecoat's hand reached for his
club. Panic-stricken though he had
been at first sight Of the cobra. he had
the pluck common to the humblest
member of "the finest" and he plain
II meditatsd taking 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 chiffonier. But Brits saved