Evening star., 1938-05-08


Law hidden in it beneath loose bed of blue
velvet. The fingers of Warren, toying with the
gilt catch, opened the lid, so that the pearls
shimmered on that blue bed.
LAS beautiful as Eve -. he unused, TOR I.
him, quite effectedly, then re-closed the case.
putting it back in that inner breast pocket.
Anyhow, they're safer with me than with
Eve" He laughed lightly. shes shockingly
careless about things. as you've probably dis
covered by this time, Brand. Never has the
least idea what she's done with them, where
she's put Them One of these days, I've always
told her, she Il mislay herself, and get lost too
Brand. meanwhile, had done some quick
thinking. If Warren had only discovered the
case on his person within few minutes OF
their meeting here, it was safe enough to con-
clude that he could scarcely have discovered
what was in it, apart from the pearls. And
here was Brands chance to seize unexpected
opportunity.
IAN the same. my dear fellow. is it wise
to be carrying valuable pearls about in the
jungle like this?" he suggested. hand outheld.
why not let me take charge of them, put
them in your bank at Sarang -dhin for you
when get back there tomorrow"
Oh why should trouble you?" Warren
laughed, declining the offer. "As matter OF
fact, without being stupidity sentimental. hav-
ine the pearls with me is the next best thing
to having Eve along"
lust then came native foreman, asking
that Warren go with him to settle some
trouble. Before leaving he explained that he
might be some hours away, showed Brand
where he could sleep.
Sleep Under the mosquito net on the bed,
Brand listened to the din of the bullfrogs and
cicadas, the night life of the jungle only
asking to be kept awake. He had to get at
that case, though how he did not know. 1t
could only be, he realized. when Warren slept,
and so deftly that he'd never know.
Again, while he waited in those slowmoving
hours, Brand began to ask himself if it would
not be better to force the whole issue, let
Warren see that letter, lay all the cards on the
table? Only Ewes parting, poignant declara-
ton that she loved her husband weighed
against that course, and it might only have
been wrung from her by fear This way and
that. Brands troubled mind swayed 80.
And then he found he had slept after all.
being suddenly awakened by Wanen's voice,
calling to him in high pitched, pre-emptory
tone: Brand Come quickly
He was on the threshold of Warrens room
in trioe, first having safeguarded himself by
snatching up his gun, without which he never
slept in the jungle. He crashed in on Warren,
eyes blinking from sleep. wondering what on
earth he would find there. He stiffened in
horror.
Warren, weaponless and impotent, his back
to a wall, faced an immense king cobra, which
seemingly he had disturbed when making tor
his bed in the middle of the room. Even as
Brand stood there in the doorway, the cobra's
head was reared high, with its inflated hood
and evil glistening eyes swaying from side to
side, seeking only the moment to dart forward
in that fatal bite.
Brand had only to stand where he did, doing
nothing, an instant longer, and all would be
over. The letter in the case would matter
nothing then
The shattered head of the cobra tapped to
and fro on the floor before Brand quite real
lied, however that he had done the only right
thing Warren, never at any moment having
shown fear, was laughing:
Gosh, Brand -. 1t seemed to me that hours
passed before you fired. A damned good shot
too. Give me your fist. owe my life to you. !"
A.