CHAPTER XXV
THE COBRA IN THE ROOM
Ceylon was a land of wonders to the tourists. Here they were in the very heart of the Orient. Rare flowers and strange plants grew in glorious profusion, the air was odorous with a thousand scents, and it was hard for them to realize that at that very moment America might be suffering from zero weather or swept by blizzards. Here life moved along serenely and dreamily, lulled by the sound of birds and drone of locusts, wrapped in the warm folds of eternal summer.
“It’s an earthly Eden!” murmured Clara, as she and Jim walked along one of the main streets of Colombo, followed at a little distance by Joe and Mabel.
“Yes,” replied Jim with a laugh, “and not even the snake is missing.”
He pointed to a group of natives and Europeans on the other side of the street who were gathered about a snake charmer. 208
“Ugh, the horrid things!” exclaimed Clara with a shudder.
“Let’s go over and take a look,” suggested Jim.