The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-30

and low moan burst from the unconA
gcious girl. So, after 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 come along, boys" he
added, and led the way back to the hall.
His face was dripping with perspira-
zion and his hands were shaking, but
he managed to control them. And now
for Senior Silva" he said, in another
tone, taking the torch from my hand.
u fear he will have a rude awaken
ing"
He sat there like a statue, even
when ] shot the snake" remarked Sim
monds. Hes a wonder, he u.s."
Yes" agreed Godfrey. as he stepped
into the entry, hes a wonder" Then
stern face on Simmonds. where's
the man l left on guard here?" he
asked.
Why" faltered Simmonds, 81 re-
member now-he helped us carry the
young lady. But we were 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'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.
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.
It's my fault as much as anyone's"
he said savagely. II might have known
Silva would see the game was up, and
try to slip away in the excitement.
ought to have kept an eye on him."
Your eyes were fairly busy as it
was" l remarked. Besides, maybe he
hasn't got away"
Godfrey's face, as he glanced about
the room, showed that he cherished no
such hope.
Let's see what happened to Nah
bub," he said. Maybe he got away.
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. Tie thug had not got away. He
lay on the floor-a dreadful sight. He
was lying on his back, his hands
clenched, his body arched in a concul-
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 I sickened as 1
looked at it.
I'm going out" said. 81 can't stand
this" and 1 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. l 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 have saved him
after it got its fangs in his neck. Ugh"
He shivered slightly, and stood gaZ-
ing for moment down into the garden.
Then he turned back to me with a
smile.
It's 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 silva"
But, Godfrey" I asked. what hap
pened? What was she doing in there?
What e"
ne SlOpPCu IlS WIFI II manu- upon my
arm.
II 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 motor
car came up the drive, and an instant
later we caught the glare Of the acety-
lcneS Then voice hailed us.
Hello, there,S 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
u.s. What has happened now?"
ITS Miss Vaughan-shes been half
suffocated. But how did you get in?"
The gates were open," Human an
swered, so | drove right through. Is
Miss Vaughan in here?" and when
Godfrey nodded, he opened the door
and closed it softly behind him.
me. open! Then that is the way
Silva went"
yes, yes" I agreed. He had the
key. 1t was he who let me out"
And locked the gate after your"
yes heard the key turn"
Without q word, Godfrey hurried
down the stairs. At the foot we met
Simmonds.
We've searched the grounds" he
said, but haven't found anyone. I've
left my men on guard. phoned for
some more men, and notified head
quarters"