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THE STORY
Part I
Von Scholtz looked at his problem from
every conceivable angle; he recalled every circumstance of the early evening;
the cobra at the entrance of the cave; the natural and suggestive surroundings;
their conversation; Marbado's remarks and the killing of the cobra; and his own
expectation of seeing Marbado perform his magic after they should have passed
the cobra's den. All this convinced him that the Magician's work had already
begun, and that he had been caught unawares at the very beginning. With this
analysis, he tried to dehypnotize himself; at any rate, upon some such
hypothesis he resolved to advance regardless of personal consequences.
As he again approached the prostrate form
covered with animated venom, cold perspiration covered his person. He
hesitated; there was but one passage; the cave was narrow, and if he advanced,
it must be over the body of Marhado covered with the squirming serpents.
"These are not real cobras," said von
Scholtz aloud, as if addressing Marbado, "and they have no place in a normal
mind." And as he spoke, he walked straight over their yielding bodies, but he
screamed with pain as the cobras struck from right and left, but he kept right
on going until he bad passed over them.
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