It was Lucille's first experience of cobras and she shuddered to see
the second--evidently comprehending, aggressive, vengeful--would it
spring from there ... and the Sword lay on the bed, out of reach.

Dam arose with a laugh, picked up his heavy boot as he did so, and,
all in one swift movement, hurled it at the half-coiled swaying
creature, with the true aim of the first-class cricketer and trained
athlete; then, following his boot with a leap, he snatched at the tail
of the coiling, thrashing reptile and "cracked" the snake as a carter
cracks a whip--whereafter it dangled limp and dead from his hand!
Lucille shrieked, paled, and sprang towards him.

"Oh, Dam!" she cried, "how _could_ you!"

"Pooh, Kiddy," he replied. "I'm going to invite the Harley Street cove
to have a match at that--and I'm going to give a little exhibition of
it on the lawn at Monksmead--to all the good folk who witnessed my
disgrace.... What's a snake after all? It's _my_ turn now;" and
Lucille's heart was at rest and very thankful. This was not a
temporary "cure". Oh, thank God for her inspiration anent the Sword
... Thank God, thank God!...




SEVEN YEARS AFTER.


A beautiful woman, whose face is that of one whose soul is full of
peace and joy, passes up the great staircase of the stately mansion of