little man was crossing the room and hurrying toward the big snake where it could be discerned under a line of bunks. The words uttered by the owner of the serpent were heard by the three chums, as well as by every one else in the building.

And then, as the small man continued on his way, and finally launched himself at the snake with outstretched hands and arms, some one uttered a warning yell.

"Look out!" came the cry. "It's only his bluff! He's trying to escape. Catch the spy!"

"That's right!" shouted several, who seemed to agree with what had been said.

But if the little man--the "spy" as he had been called--had it in mind to escape, he was taking a queer way to go about it. For even as a rush toward him on the part of those from whose midst he had escaped began, the little man arose and held clasped in his arms the snake--or as much of it as he could raise from the ground. On his face was a look of anxiety relieved, and he fairly beamed on those who confronted him. His former, and would-be, captors had again come to a halt. Almost any ordinary body of men and boys would have done the same under like circumstances, for there is an inherent fear of snakes in almost every one."Get him! Don't let the spy escape!" came the cry.

"Yes! Let's see you get him--with that snake for a protector," murmured one.

"I don't mind getting shot at by a German," said a voice, "but I'll be jiggered if I want to be bitten by a snake."

"Shoot the snake!" came the cry.

"No, please don't, I beg of you!" pleaded the little man in a mild voice that, somehow, carried to the far end of the room. "Please don't shoot the most valuable snake I ever owned. Really she is quite harmless; aren't you, Ticula?" and he looked up at the swaying head of the snake that was weaving above him, as though to ask the serpent to speak.

"Ticula!" burst out Ned. "Is that her name, Professor Snodgrass?"

The little man started, and peered through his glasses in the direction of the voice.

"Ha! It seems there is some one here who knows me," he said. "I cannot see him, but I seem to recognize the voice."

"I should think you would," chuckled Ned. "We've traveled with you often enough, Professor. But this is a new one--a pet snake as 

 Prev. P 10/143 next