l table, "you see this!"
and, leaning forward, he touched the cigar-box, the lid of which
opened with a spring.

Next second something shot quite close to my face, startling me.

I looked, and instantly became filled with an inexpressible horror,
for there, upon the table, lay a small, black, venomous snake. To its
tail was attached a fine green silken cord, and this was, in turn,
fastened to the candle. The wooden candle-stick was, I saw, screwed
down to the table. The cord entered the wax candle about two inches
lower than the flame.

I gave a cry of horror, whereat both men laughed heartily.

"Now," said Reckitt, "I promised you an unexpected surprise. There it
is! In half-an-hour the flame will reach the cord, and sever it. Then
the snake will strike. That half-hour will give you ample time for
reflection."

"You fiends!" I cried, struggling desperately to free myself. In doing
so I moved my head slightly, when the snake again darted at me like a
flash, only falling short about an inch from my cheek.

The reptile fell back, recoiled itself, and with head erect, its
cruel, beady eyes watching me intently, sat up ready to strike again.

The blood froze in my veins. I was horrified, held there only one
single inch from death.

"We wish you a very good night," laughed Forbes, as both he and his
companion walked towards the door. "You will have made a closer
acquaintance with the snake ere we cash your cheque in the morning."

"Yes," said Reckitt, turning upon me with a grin. "And Sylvia too will
share the same fate as yourself, for daring to warn you against us!"

"No!" I cried; "spare her, spare her!" I implored.

But the men had already passed out of the room, locking the door
securely after them.

I lay back silent, motionless, listening, not daring to move a muscle
because of that hideous reptile closely guarding me.

I suppose ten minutes must have passed--ten of the most awful minutes
of terror and disgust I have ever experienced in all my life--then a
sound broke the dead stillness of the night.

I heard a woman's loud, piercing scream--a scream of sudden horror.

Sylvia's voice! It seemed to emanate from the room beyond!

Again it was repeated. I heard her shriek distinctly--

"Ah! No, spare me! Not that--_not that_!"

Only a wall divided us, yet I was powerless, held there face to face
with a terrible and revolting death, unable to save her, unable to
raise my hand in self-defence.

She