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Show BY WHOSE HAND ? H By EDITH SESSIONS TUPPER, I Attktr ml ' Br m Hilt" Bnmdth," " Tat Blmck OlamMtf,' Bm. CP7tliht, ism, b, Wlll-rJ Frtcktr Co CornUht, 1W. fcr Slt.t Salts. 'i i ii 3 CHAPTER X. Continued. Yos; thero was the announcement. In flaunting capitals, that the world-renowned world-renowned the only llama Dojanta the famous Hindoo Snake charmer, would, as usual, appear that ovenlng. After I had breakfasted, I went out to find some friends, and on my way called at tho box office ot tho theater where Dojanta was performing, ami bought a couple of tickets for that evening. Thon I sought the office of Dasll Fortune, a well-known lawyer, who was a classmate of mine, and a prince ot good fellows. He was surprised and delighted to see me. We spent the day together and decided that, after dining, we would look In on the world-famous the only Dojanta. CHAPTER XI. It was with quickened pulse and beating heart that I watched the preparations prep-arations on tho stage that evening for the appearance ot the woman who I believed waa the murderess of Retrta-aid Retrta-aid Dalrymple. Two attendants brought la a large box which they handled wltk gingerly ear. Two others followed with a second. There wan an Intense silence through the house, which was broken , by loud plaudits, as a tall, slonder woman In black tights, with an orange satin sash twisted about the hips, came hurrying on. I leaned forward and anxiously scanned her face and form. She answered an-swered perfectly to tho description both of Converse and the professor, being dark, supple and almost as slonder as one of her serpents. She bowed with perfect grace, and then quickly opened ono of the boxes and drew out an anaconda, which she wrapped about herself. Next she brought forth a python, which she stroked and caressed and colled about her arm. More and more she took " lv nhl ' ft A revolting and fascinating spectacle. fram the boxea and twisted thorn about hor willowy form, until it was a marvel that she could stand beneath their weight. It waa at onco a revolting revolt-ing and fascinating spoctacle, and hold tho audience spellbound. "Gruesome, isn't it?" asked For-tuno. For-tuno. "How is it, Sevoranco, that you did not chance to boo her in New .York?" "I don't know," I answered. "I sever cared to " "She has set this city quite agog, not only by hor proflcloncy in handling han-dling theso snakes, but by her dresses, her Jewels, ami her Intrigues. Tho latest dollclous bit Is that Van Osgood, Os-good, ono of our Jennese doreo has furnished superb apartments for ber, and there are rumors ot midnight suppers sup-pers whlch aro decidedly racy." Kama Dojanta was unmistakably the feature of the evening, and "ier ber act was over there was ndjlng ot any interest to witness We according mado our way into the lobby where Fortune greeted a young man who was standing there. Ho presented his acquaintance as Mr. Hamilton, a representative ot one of the leading San Francisco dallies. "How did you llko tho snako act?" asked Mr. Hamilton. "Clever, but crawly," was Fortune's terse roply, "Como In behind wltk me," said Hamilton, "I'm going to Interview Bojanta." Fortuno hesltntod a Uttlo but I at onco accepted. Tho way seemed opening open-ing fast for my Investigations. Through a dark alley we hastened to tho h tit go door which swung open tor us nt a word or two from Hamilton. Hamil-ton. Wo picked our way ovor trapdoors trap-doors and through stage debris ot all sorts. A card was sent to the snake-charmer snake-charmer and a speedy answer obtained. ob-tained. Yes, Dojanta Mould sco us. As we entered her dre-islng-room he turned from her mirror to groet wC She had oxchangod her stage dress for a long, sweeping robo ot blaek, dashed hero and there with her favorite yellow. Her piercing eyes smiled a wolcorao, and, lighting a cigarette, ci-garette, alte bad us bo seated. During the intorvlow that onraed I studied this woman, who was destined to solve the mystery surrounding Palrympla's death. She spoke very fair Kngllsh, Interlarded with Spanlih oaths and stage slang. She was crafty, coarBO and sensual Her mouth, her eyes, her attitude, bespoke be-spoke tho wanton. Though sbe addressed ad-dressed her conversation chlofly to Hamilton and Fortune, I was perfectly aware she wan constantly regarding mo with furtive glances. Tho boxes containing her serpents were in the room, and, rising, she put back the soft blankets and fur robes which wrapped her pets, and drew out a boa-constrictor, which she extravagantly extrava-gantly fondled and caressed for our benefit. As she colled It about her lithe form, a faultlessly attired young man entered the room. He was greeted by my companions and presented to fae as Mr. Osgood. Ilemembering his relationship re-lationship to Dojanta, with some curiosity curi-osity I watched him as he approached and spoke to his mistress. She gave him a smile of indulgent contempt, and endeavored to throw a coll of her serpent about his neck. He beat a basty retreat, and she, laughing Immoderately, then restored the snake to Its place in the box. "The coupo la here, llama," called her protector, from the doorway, "won't you and your friends come homo and have supper with us?" this to Hamilton. "Yes. yes," cried Dojanta, "como nnd siip with us. There will bo four of ub that Is right. I have some delicious salad and partridges waiting, wait-ing, and Van enn make an enchanting punch. Then, too, you shall see my beloved, my beauty, my Interna, my cobra!" "You cobra! Have you one?" 1 asked. "Yes, It's too proclous to show to the vulgar herd. It Is only the select few that are permitted to gazo upon It. Como, thon, and see It." I wanted to go; I might not havo another such opportunity. I could soo that Fortune did not caro to ac cept this Invitation, but at last ho yielded and wo all left the theater together. to-gether. Hor coupe was waiting at the door As she Btood on the steps, buttoning her long gloves, "Ixst ma nee." sho said, "Van, you must show these gen-tlomon gen-tlomon the way. I shall lake ono with me. Now which will be the fatored one?" "You," she said softly, laying her hand upon my arm. I started violently as she touched me. It was with difficulty I could conceal tbo loathing I felt. Dut 1 realized I must enact a role, and so, professing to be delighted, I followed her Into tho coupe She said very little on tho way, but whon we had entered her magnificent apartments, furnished with the most lavish luxury and costly appointments, sho flung off her long cloak and coming-to me slid her slim hands In mine nnd fixing her low, narrow, slanting oyes on my faco, said, with enthusiasm, enthu-siasm, "Caramba' but you arc a hand-somo hand-somo man You aro so fair I adore fair men, I feared you would not come You must come often now, and alone," and sbe pressed my hands significantly Osgood's key rattled In tho lock, and withdrawing hor hands from mine, sho quickly crossed tho room and sank Into n great velvet chair, I was nou-plusscd stunned. Did this creature contemplate muk Ing lovo to mo? I thought of Angule, but qulcklv banished hor from my mind It was sacrilege to ovon think of her amid thoso surroundings. Then, suddenly an Idea suggested Itsolf to me. Why should I not load on and encourage this woman In her caprice, and through It gain control of her and In some wn wrench the truth from her? Though I rovolted from this scheme, It seemed tho only feasible one I decided de-cided to tal.o Fortune Into my confidence, confi-dence, and between us wo might concoct con-coct some plan which should pface this woman entirely In my power. The cobra's cage waa In this room where we were alttlng. She opened the' door, and with caressing terms osKled It to her. It came, ifcrrtble, writing and undulating, at her command. com-mand. "My beauty, my pet, my Inferna," 1 I tit murmured, "In honor of the vtoft of your new acquaintances, you. mr darling, shall hae a treat." Going to the mantle, near by, she took down a Jar and opened It I instantly in-stantly recognized the contonts aa sho poured them Into the palm of fc-tr hand. The blti of rootB were exactly like thoso which Dolleau bad shown me In his room, "Is that the arrac root?" I Indifferently Indiffer-ently asked, as I watched her feed l the serpent. "Yos!" she cried, as If astonished. "How did you know? It is the food ot all foods, the dainty morsel for tho cobra." 8he put one' or two pieces In the rcptllo's cage, and It devoured them with avidity. "Now that you have supper, my pet, we wlU do likewise," she gayly cried, as she closed the cage. "Come then, one and all, I am famished." Wo followed her to tbo supper-room, whero a delicious luncheon was prepared. pre-pared. She drank but little, though she smoked Incessantly. She grew more audacious as the evening wore on, and, much to my uneasiness, un-easiness, her glittering eyes expressed her bold admiration of me. Hamilton and Fortune were secretly enjoying my embarrassment, and aa for Osgood, he was drinking too heavily heav-ily to notice what was going on. I drew a long breath of relief aa w left the heatod, perfumed air of her apartment. It was good to feel the night breeze upon my flushed face and to see the cold, whit stars sparkling far above us. I listened patiently to the chaffing chaff-ing of my companions as we walked with Hamilton to his office. After ' bidding hlro Rood night, I strolled slowly along with Fortune to his rooms. Ha asked me to go in for a final cigar. I entered, and, sitting there, told him of my errand In San Francisco. CHAPTER XII. He listened to my story with un- , m, bounded amazement. ) "It seems Incredible," he said, as I finished. "It Is like some Bast Indian talo. I douht not your present theory la the correct ono. Dut how to trap this woman and extort a confession from her is quite another question. From what I have seen this evening, I should Judge that you can handle her better than a detective. The creature crea-ture was not at all shy of you. It I were you I should go to see her alone, and let deciopments decide your course I think often tho accident of an hour will ghe us the results which tho careful plans of days cannot accomplish ac-complish I know Osgood and hla ways well, and I will And out when he is likely to bo away from his rooms. You can go there with a confession all prepared for her to sign. Wbo knows? you may catch your bird at once." I determined to follow his advice, and tho result Justified Its sagacity. Within a week Fortuno Informed mo that on a certain night Osgood waa to . attend a ball, which would leave hla t mistress quite alone. I Immediately sent a note to Dojanta, Do-janta, asking If sho would receive me that evening. The messouger brought mo an answer In an envolopo whose seal boro an effigy of a rolled sorpont with uplifted head and forkod tongue. I hurrldly broke It open. Dojanta. would bo charmed to seo mo. My plans wero soon made. Fortune For-tune and a detoctlve wero to await mo In a drug store about a btoak from tho snake-charmer's apartment, whence I could easily summon them If necessary. I could not quite determine upon my course towardDoJanta, but Anally decided de-cided to trust fato to teach me the way to master her. Little did I dream what lay boforo me as I knocked softly at her door at the appointed hour, I knew full well that I was about to play a desporate game with a woman as cunning as one ot her o-vn serpents, but I underestimated underesti-mated ber craft and .depravity. (To be contlnuod.) |