It had a most peculiar effect upon the boa-constrictor, who, from the first production of the silver bowl, had shown a lively interest in it by moving its great head up and down excitedly. The noise made by Don Juan, however, decided it; it began to uncoil itself from the would-be assassin and finally dropped on the floor with a "slump" and wriggled out of the window on to the terrace. As the man was released, I covered him with the revolver as I was taking no risks, but it was quite unnecessary, as he fell fainting on a couch to which he had staggered almost immediately he was free.
Don Juan returned from the terrace with a pleased smile.
"My pets are a great source of comfort to me," he remarked as he sank into a chair, after courteously making me take another. "To see that poor dumb thing take its food so healthily compensates me almost for the shock which this villainous fellow has given us."
"Snakes," he continued, "are greatly affected by sound, as no doubt you noticed just now. There is little question that the snake was attracted to Lopes by some sound."
"But still," he continued, placing his hand in his breast, "the sight of the casket which you have brought to me is a greater shock than the desperado's pistol presented at your head was to you."
He passed his hand over his forehead as if the idea bewildered him.
"And you say you got it from the Baroness d'Altenberg?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered, "I took it from the safe at her direction."
"Whatever can it contain?" he muttered to himself; then the figure of
Lopes lying on the sofa caught his eye.
"We must have this fellow removed," he said. "What shall we do with him?"