Why?

left him a little nearer to the snake. He thrust his hands forward to brace himself back, if constantly advanced upon his elbows. Dr. Drowing and his wife sat in the library. The scientist present rare good humor.

I have just obtained a splendid specimen of the Ophio Fagus. And what may that be? The lady inquired with a somewhat languid interest. The offio figures is a snake which eats other snakes. I hope it will eat all yours.

But how does it get the other snakes by charming them, I suppose? Ah! The conversation was interrupted by a mighty cry. Ah! Ah! Again and yet again it sounded with terrible distinctness. Ah! rushed at the door without knocking. It was unfastened and gave way.

Brayton lay upon his stomach on the floor dead. His head and arms were partly concealed under the foot rail of the bed. They pulled the body away, turning it upon the back. The face was dobed with blood and froth.

The eyes were wide open, staring at a dreadful sight. Died in a fit, said the scientist, bending his knee and placing his hand upon the heart. Why, in that position, he happened to glance under the bed, good God.

How did this thing get in here? He reached under the bed, pulled out the snake, and flung it, still coiled to the center of the room. Whence with a harsh, shuffling sound, it slid across a polished floor, till stopped by the wall, where it lay without motion.

It was a stuffed snake. Its eyes were too shoe-butting. These fireside tales are abridged by Tamsin Colossy, with music by Chris O'Shaughnessy and produced by Frank Stern.