“A plumed serpent!” he exclaimed.
“And read the words beneath it,” directed Penny.
Under the drawing in a cramped hand, had been scribbled: “This shall be the end.”
CHAPTER
2
AN UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE
Sergeant Gray studied the strange drawing for a moment and then said to Albert Potts: “Can you explain the meaning of this picture? And the words written beneath it?”
For the first time since the start of the interview, the bank secretary seemed at a loss for words. Finally he stammered: “Why, no—I’ve never seen the drawing before. I don’t know how it got into Mr. Rhett’s desk.”
“You seemed to recognize the picture,” interposed Penny. “At least you called it a plumed serpent.”
“It is the symbol of an ancient cult, or at least that is what I take it to be. I’ve seen similar drawings in library books.”
“And the writing beneath it?” probed the sergeant.
“I am not sure,” the secretary murmured, ill at ease. “It slightly resembles Mr. Rhett’s writing.”