Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-03-30

and a low moan burst from the unconA
scious girl. So, after a moment, he
deslsted and laid the hand down again.
o understand what you're to do"
he asked the maid, and h nodded
mutely. Then come along, boys he
added, and led the way back to the hall.
His face was dripping with perspira-
ton his hands We're shaking, but
he manage to control them. And now
for Senior Silva" he said, in another
tone, taking the torch from my hand.
Il fear he will have a rude awaken
ing"
He sat there like a statue. ven
when shot h snake" remarked Sim
monds, HES a wonder, he is"
Yes" agreed Godfrey, as he stepped
into the entry, hes a wonder" Then
he stopped. glanced around, and turned
a stern face on Simmonds. Where's
the man l left on guard here%" he
asked.
why" faltered simmonds, II re-
member now-he helped us carry the
young lady. But we We're all right
there in the hall-you don't mean
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 be far away" he said.
He al get away in that white robe
of his. Come along, Tom" and, fol-
lowed by his assistant, he plunged
down the stairs.
l saw Godfrey half turn to follow;
then he stopped, ran his hand along
the wall inside the door, found the but
ton, and turned on the lights. His
face was pale and angry.
Its my fault as much as %anyone's,"
he said nI-a pplv at n,io1t hayn Epnu,,
Silva would see the game was up and
try to slip away in the excitement. [
ought to nave kept an eye on him."
Your eyes were fairly busy as 1t
was" / 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 way,
too" and he crossed to the inner door.
The flame in the brazier had died
away, and the smoke came only in fit
' fuls puffs. heavy with deadening per-
fume. The thug a not got away. He
lay on the floor-a dreadful sight. He
was lying on his back. his hands
sion, his head drawn far back. The
black lips were parted over the ugly
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 I
looked at it.
I'm going out" 1 said. II can't stand
this" and l hurried to the open WIN
dow.
Godfrey joined me there in a mo-
ment.
I'm feeling pretty bad myself" he
said, putting the torch in his pocket
and hopping his shining forehead. ITS
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 l only ripped away a
portion of the hood, and the thing, mad
with rage. sprang upon the Hindu.
Nothing on earth could nave saved him
after it got it's fangs in his neck. Ugh!"
He shivered slightly, and stood gaz-
ing for a momen down into 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. l
fancy Miss Vaughan will change her
mind. now. about becoming a priestess
of Siva!"
But. Godfrey" l asked, what hap
pened? What was she doing in there?
What ;"
He stopped me with a hand upon my
arm.
q don't know. But she'll tell us
they'll get Silva. That o 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 l
come up?'
rs it you doctor?" asked Godfrey,