"Oh, I see," said the doctor coolly, and taking a knife from his pocket, he opened it, bent down, and with one cut passed the knife blade through the cobra's neck, with the result that the long, lithe body was set free, as if it had been held in its place by the position of the head, and Phra's leg was released.
But he took his foot very cautiously off the head, which even then moved, as if still connected with the slowly writhing body, for the jaws opened and shut two or three times, the vitality in the creature being wonderful.
But Phra did not stay to see. He stepped quickly to Harry's side and caught his left hand, to hold it for a moment against his throbbing breast, and then ran off as hard as he could go.
Meanwhile, supported on either side by the doctor and his wife, Harry was led into the former's room, the boy looking rather wild and strange. Here he was seated upon a cane couch, while a draught of ammonia and water was prepared, and held to him to drink.
"Not thirsty," he said, shaking his head.
"Never mind; drink," cried the doctor, and the lad hastily tossed off the contents.
"Nice?" said the doctor, with a smile.
"Horrid; like soap and water," replied Harry. "May I go to sleep?"
"Yes, for a time, if you can."
"But I say, look here, Doctor; when father comes, don't let him be frightened. I'm not going to be very bad, am I?"