Cobb ceased speaking, and paced the floor in an excited manner. It was evident that this man, much as he talked of severing his connections with the present, was still loath to attempt this terrible ordeal. Yet, it was also apparent to both that he would not hesitate in his purpose. He was a man of too strong will; he would make the sacrifice.
His friends knew it and felt it.
Ceasing his walk, Cobb faced them and said:
“Before I leave, before I enter this dormant state, I must secure my position in the army beyond the possibility of losing it. How I am to do this, has long been a problem. If I am dead, I will be dropped from the rolls of the army; if I go on leave, I must return at the expiration of that leave, or, failing to do so, be declared a deserter. There seems to be but one way for me to accomplish my object. I will explain it.”
Cobb now entered his little room, and soon returned with a small sporting rifle and a paper box.
It was an ordinary thirty-calibre rifle, such as is used in sporting galleries.
Approaching his friends, he opened the box and showed them a row of small cartridges. They differed very little from those used in the ordinary rifle.
Handing one to Craft, he said:
“Do you notice anything peculiar about that cartridge?”