Semi-weekly herald., 1912-01-22

found an antidote. II a rattler bites
you, you may save your life with
whisky II you get 1t soon enough.
When cobra sets his teeth In you.
you don't have time to drink the whis-
ky, even II the glass is at your lips.
and nobody knows whether It would do
any good II you had time TO drink it."
A long low whistle was the detec-
lives only expression of his apprecis-
ton of their predicament His study
OF Oriental lore did not acquaint him
with the characteristics of the cobra
But the doctor was scientist, and
Britz was willing to take the informa-
ton on trust. 1t was situation In
which he felt he could afford to dis
pence with experimental knowledge.
The thick. beautifully rounded snake.
ashen in color and sinuous of move
ment, apparently was not alarmed by
the scramble OF the doctor and the de-
tective to the top of the chiffonier nor
even by the swing of the divan under
the vigorous push of Fltch's foot. 1t
lowered the head 1t had lifted a few
inches from the floor, and continued
Its passage across the room. but a
short, dry laugh from the sleuth evi-
IDENTIFY angered 1t more than any louder
noises. 1t stopped midway of the
room, turning its head once more to-
ward the men on their narrow perch.
An involuntary shiver ran through
Fitch, and even Britz felt little un-
comfortable under the serpent's gilt
Inrfn he
In the center of the floor, its head lift
ed. and those beady eyes twinkling
furiously. Then began motion of the
head like that of waterspout to a
point at least knee-high of a tall man.
The head bent forward slightly, and
the neck on both sides distended slow
ly until the loose flesh formed sort Of
hood behind and slightly above both
sides OF the narrow. wicked forehead
of the serpent.
Look" cried Fitch. That IL the
unmistakable sign of a cobra, the dead
ly hooded snake of India. 1t Is like no
other member of the serpent family.
When you see that hood commence to
come out-dont wait to sec the rest"
About how long do you think 1t will
stay there. doctor?' asked the detec-
tive.
Until It either gets us or forgets
u.s." answered the physician. 1.-THE dis
tension of the skin about the neck In
that way means that the beast is an
cry. Once It is thoroughly aroused. It
never gives up until 1t strikes its vic
tim, or is killed-unless something
more startling happens to distract its
attention"
Rather looks As II We were trap
ped" Britz 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 q machine gun
have you got pistol?'
Il brought one into the roop," an
swered Britt. feeling In his pockets,
"but laid 1t on that table when was
going through those drawers Pretty
careless. eh?"
Fitch nodded. He was racking his
wits for some means OF escape which
meant. SO far as he could see, meth
vu VI hiiiiiB lue budhc IL bcciucu uoo
less to expect help from outside the
house. The door between the hall and
the room In which they were was
closed. and before II 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 In that rather remote contin-
geney, however, 1t was far from GER
tain they could warn him before the
cobra could glide across the room and
strike him to death. No, they were
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 infiame the SER
pent, they discussed their situation.
Guess there's nothing accidental
about this little sunshine being in the
room" said Britt musingly. Those
Oriental strong-armers probably fg-
ured 1t out that one or both of US
would come here. and so they arranged
this pleasing little surprise party. ]
think 1t Il EorthxA nlacs In the soctAty