can imagine the Indian snake-charmers to
use when the cobra raises its winged head in obedience to the pipe's
resistless charm. Every ear was strained to hear; mine with the rest. So
much preparation, so much faith must result in something. What was it to
be? The incoherent sounds became more and more distinct, and, finally,
took on the articulate form of words. The quiet was deathly. Every one
was prepared to interpret her utterances into personal significance.
The dread and trouble of the times filling all minds, men wished to be
forehanded with the decrees of Providence. Into this brooding silence
the low, vibrating tones of this mysterious voice entered, and this is
what we heard:

"_Doom! doom! For him--the one--the betrayer--the passing bell is
tolling. Hear it, ye weak ones and grow strong. Hear it, ye mighty and
tremble. Not alone for him will it ring. For ye! for ye! if the decree
of the linked rings goes forth---_"

Here there was a perceptible quiver of the drapery back of the dais.
Others may not have noted it; I did. When, therefore, a very white hand
came slowly from between its folds and placed its fingers upon the right
temple of Madame, I was not much startled. What did startle me was
the fact let out before that admonishing hand touched her, that this
being--I can hardly call her woman--seemingly so far removed from the
political agitations of the day, was, in very deed, either consciously
or unconsciously--I could not decide which--intimately connected
with the conspiracy I was at that very moment striving to defeat.
How intimately? Was she the prime mover I was seeking, or simply an
instrument under the control of another, and yet stronger, personality
imaged in the owner of that white hand?

There was no means of determining at that moment. Meanwhile, the fingers
had left the temple of Madame. The hand was slowly withdrawn. Sleep
apparently fell again upon the dreamer, but only long enough for her to
bring forth the words:

"I have said."

The silence that followed, gave me time to think. It was necessary.
She had bidden the mighty tremble and had pronounced death to one--the
betrayer. Was this senseless drivel, prophetic sight, or threatened
murder? I inclined to consider it the last, and this was why: For some
weeks now, murder, or, at least, sudden death, had been rampant in
the country. My flesh crept as I remembered the many mysterious deaths
reported within the month from St. Louis, Bost