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THE STORY
Part I
This was an adroit move on Marbado's
part, as it subtly suggested a simple and natural situation, liable to occur in
any rocky region where reptiles abound. Marbado finally arose and said "I
think, Professor, the cobras have settled for the night, and if we move
cautiously we can get, by without disturbing them; then I can entertain you
with my art." So saying Marbado led the way, his companion following.
When the leader had reached that part of
the cave where the cobras had checked their progress earlier in the evening, he
gave forth an unearthly yell, and fell. The Professor saw that a cobra had
fastened itself to Marbado's right hand and from either side of the cave the
venomous reptiles issued by the hundreds soon covering the prostrate body until
it seemed one writhing mass.
Von Scholtz stood transfixed, horrified,
yes, petrified with fear, but as we have noted before, he was not the man to
yield for any length of time to any such emotions. He needed time for thought,
so he withdrew to a safe distance to think the matter over, there being no time
limit set for his task. If this were a natural phenomenon instead of an
exhibition of magic, certainly he was justified in withdrawing from the cave,
but if, on the other hand, it were but the first trick deftly executed by the
Magician, his duty to science and to his own self-respect demanded that he
should carry out his part of the program. This was a matter for him alone to
decide. Again, if it were a mere trick, how could he account for the fact that
his own senses were making false reports unless he conceded that he was already
under the magician's spell? If the things he saw were real, and he attempted to
pass further into the cave, his death would be certain and terrible. How should
he, how could he, decide?
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