"'Up there, in the depths of the cavern—dead!'
"'Dead!' said the doctor; 'how?'
"'The spider! oh, the spider!'
"'Calm yourself,' said the doctor, who was very pale. 'Tell us clearly.'
"'The spider holds him by the throat—in the depths of the cavern—under the rock—enveloped in its web—Ah!'
"Dr. Weber glanced round on the people, who, bending forward, with eyes starting out of their heads, listened in horror.
"Then he continued: 'You see him?'
"'I see him.'
"'And the spider. Is it a big one?'
"'O Master, never, never, have I seen such a big one. Neither on the banks of the Mocaris, nor in the swamps of Konanama. It is as large as my body.'