The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-03-30

and q low moan burst from the uncon-
sclous girl. So, after d moment, he
desisted and laid the hand down again.
You understand what you're to do?"
he asked the maid, and she nodded
mutely, Then conle along. boys" he
added, and led thew way back to b hall.
His face was dripping with perspira-
ton n his hands We're shaking, but
he managed to control them. And now
for Senior Silva" he said, in another
Zone, taking the torch from my hand.
ing
"He sat there like a statue. even
when I shot the SNAKE" remarked Sim
monds. He's a wonder, he is"
Yes" agreed Godfrey, as he stepped
into the entry, "he's a wonder e
he stopped, glanced around, n turned
the man I left on guard here?" he
asked.
why" faltered Simmonds, II re-
member now-he helped us carry the
young lady. But we were all right
Godfrey stepped to the inner door
and flashed his torch about the room.
The divan was empty.
Simmonds paused only for a single
glance.
"He can't be far away" he said.
He can't get away in that white robe
of his. Come along, Toni" and, fol-
lowed by his assistant, he plunged
down the stairs.
I saw Godfrey half turn to follow:
then he stopped, ran his hand along
the wall inside the door, found the but
ton, and turned OF the lights. His
face was pale and angry.
TITS my fault as much as ~anyone's,n
he said savagely. 81 might have known
Silva would see the game was up, and
ought to have kept an eye on him.
your eyes were fairly busy as It
was" I remarked. Besides. maybe he
hasn't got away"
Godfrey's face, as he glanced about
the room, showed that he cherished no
such hope.
Lets see what happened to NAH
bub," he said. Maybe he got away,
too" and he crossed to the inner door.
Phe flame in the brazier had died
away, and the smoke came only in fit
+, fuls puffs. heavy with deadening per-
fume. The thug had not got away. He
lay on the floor-a dreadful sight. He
was lying on his back, his hands
Cenched, his body arched in a concul-
sion. his head drawn far back. The
teeth, and the Eyes had rolled upward
till they cleaned, two vacant balls OF
white. AT the side of his neck, just
under the jaw, was a hideous swelling.
Godfrey's torch ran over the body
from head to foot, and l sickened as /
looked at it.
"Fm going out" I said. 81 can't stand
thisl" and I hurried to the open win
dow.
Godfrey Joined me there in a mo-
ment.
pm feeling pretty bad myself" he
said, putting the torch in his pocket
and hopping his shining forehead. TITS
plain enough what happened. I caught
a glimpse of Miss Vaughan on the floor
there, realized that we couldn't do any
thing with the snake in the way, and
shot at it, but / only ripped away a
portion of the hood, and the thing, mad
with rage, sprang upon he Hindu.
Nothing on earth could ave saved hin
after it got it's fangs in his neck. Ugh!"
He shivered slightly, and stood gaz-
ing for a moment down int the garden.
Then he turned back to me with a
smile.
Its a good nights work, Lester he
said, even if we don't catch Silva. I
fancy Miss Vaughan will change her
mind, now, about becoming a priestess
Of Siva!"
but, Godfrey" I asked, what hap
pened? What was she doing in there?
What ;"
He stopped me with a hand upon my
arm.
81 don't know. But she'll tell us
when she comes around. l only hope
they'll get Silva. That would make the
! victory complete"
He paused, for the hum of a motor
car came up the drive, and an instant
later we caught the glare of the acety-
| lenes. Then a voice hailed us.
: Hello, there" it called. Shall
come up?"
rs it you, doctor?" asked Godfrey
/ leaning out.
, Yes"
: Come right UP, then, to Miss
Vaughan's room."
We met him at the stair head.
/ 'Oh, it's you!" he said, recognizing
: us. What has happened now""
! It's Miss Vaughan-she's been half
~suffocated. But how did you get in?"
The gates were OPEN" Hinman an
swered, 80 I drove right through. Is
e Miss Vaughan in here?' and wher
. Godfrey nodded, he opened the dool
e and closed it softly behind him.
"Open!" repeated Godfrey. staring a
me. "Open! Then that is the way
Silva went"
Eyes, yes" / agreed. "He had thu
f key. 1t was he who let me out"
"And locked the gate after your"
. "Yes-I heard the key turn"
S Without a word, Godfrey hurried
4 down the stairs. AT the foot we me
Simmonds.
e we've searched the grounds" h
said, but haven't found anyone. Nv,
left my men on guard. I 'phoned TO
t some more men, and notified head
: quarters"