"Dere iss a baper in der sawdust," spoke up Carl, whose interest in the head was about as terrifying as Bangs.
Jurgens looked down, saw a bit of white in the sawdust, then reached for it and shook it clear of the brown particles. He unfolded a note, written on parchment or some sort of tanned skin.
"Well!" he exclaimed.
"What is it?" asked Bangs, anxiously.
"It's a key to the mystery. Listen."
Thereupon Bangs read the following:
"'The Head of Obboney. Read and give heed, for the head of Obboney contains many things, perilous and otherwise to human beings.
"'Obboney is a malicious deity of the Koromantyn, or Gold Coast negroes, of Africa; he is the author of all evil, and when his displeasure is signified by the infliction of pestilential disorders, or otherwise, nothing will divert his anger but human sacrifices; and these sacrifices are selected from captives taken in war, or, if there be none, then from the slaves of the Koromantyns.'"
Jurgens paused. The paper shook in his fingers and fell fluttering to the floor. He lifted a hand to his face and rubbed his eyes.
"What's the matter with you?" demanded Bangs.