“Cut out the comedy stuff!” murmured Bob.
“Well, if there’s a real snake in there I want 13 to see it!” exclaimed Jerry. “Come on!” and he pushed open the door which had swung shut after the exit of the excited lads.
Within the barracks the three Motor Boys saw a scene of excitement. One end of the big building, which was filled with cots and bunks, was comparatively empty, but at the other there was a group of officers and men. Some of them appeared to surround the captive, though the three chums could not just then get a glimpse of him.
“There it is!” suddenly cried Ned, pointing.
“What—the spy?” asked Bob.
“No, the snake! See it?”
He pointed. There was no doubt of it. A long, glistening, brown body was seen to glide under a row of cots.
“It’s a snake all right,” assented Jerry, “but not half as big as I thought. It’s just like one I’ve seen––”
He was interrupted by a voice which rang out above the murmurs from the group at the other end of the barracks, and the commanding voice of Colonel Shield demanded:
“What is going on here? What is all the excitement about?”