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and he unconsciously lowered his book without altering the
direction of his eyes。 As soon as the volume had gone below the
line of sight； something in an obscure corner of the room recalled
his attention to his surroundings。 What he saw； in the shadow
under his bed； were two small points of light； apparently about an
inch apart。 They might have been reflections of the gas jet above
him； in metal nail heads； he gave them but little thought and
resumed his reading。 A moment later somethingsome impulse which
it did not occur to him to analyzeimpelled him to lower the book
again and seek for what he saw before。 The points of light were
still there。 They seemed to have become brighter than before；
shining with a greenish luster which he had not at first observed。
He thought； too； that they might have moved a triflewere somewhat
nearer。 They were still too much in the shadow； however； to reveal
their nature and origin to an indolent attention； and he resumed
his reading。 Suddenly something in the text suggested a thought
which made him start and drop the book for the third time to the
side of the sofa； whence； escaping from his hand； it fell sprawling
to the floor； back upward。 Brayton； half…risen； was staring
intently into the obscurity beneath the bed； where the points of
light shone with； it seemed to him； an added fire。 His attention
was now fully aroused； his gaze eager and imperative。 It
disclosed； almost directly beneath the foot rail of the bed； the
coils of a large serpentthe points of light were its eyes！ Its
horrible head； thrust flatly forth from the innermost coil and
resting upon the outermost； was directed straight toward him； the
definition of the wide； brutal jaw and the idiotlike forehead
serving to show the direction of its malevolent gaze。 The eyes
were no longer merely luminous points； they looked into his own
with a meaning； a malign significance。
II
A snake in a bedroom of a modern city dwelling of the better sort
is； happily； not so common a phenomenon as to make explanation
altogether needless。 Harker Brayton； a bachelor of thirty…five； a
scholar； idler； and something of an athlete； rich； popular； and of
sound health； had returned to San Francisco from all manner of
remote and unfamiliar countries。 His tastes； always a trifle
luxurious； had taken on an added exuberance from long privation；
and the resources of even the Castle Hotel being inadequate for
their perfect gratification； he had gladly accepted the hospitality
of his friend； Dr。 Druring； the distinguished scientist。 Dr。
Druring's house； a large； old…fashioned one in what was now an
obscure quarter of the city； had an outer and visible aspect of
reserve。 It plainly would not associate with the contiguous
elements of its altered environment； and appeared to have developed
some of the eccentricities which come of isolation。 One of these
was a 〃wing；〃 conspicuously irrelevant in point of architecture；
and no less rebellious in the matter of purpose； for it was a
combination of laboratory； menagerie； and museum。 It was here that
the doctor indulged the scientific side of his nature in the study
of such forms of animal life as engaged his interest and comforted
his tastewhich； it must be confessed； ran rather to the lower
forms。 For one of the higher types nimbly and sweetly to recommend
itself unto his gentle senses； it had at least to retain certain
rudimentary characteristics allying it to such 〃dragons of the
prime〃 as toads and snakes。 His scientific sympathies were
distinctly reptilian； he loved nature's vulgarians and described
himself as the Zola of zoology。 His wife and daughters； not having
the advantage to share his enlightened curiosity regarding the
works and ways of our ill…starred fellow…creatures； were； with
needless austerity； excluded from what he called the Snakery； and
doomed to companionship with their own kind； though； to soften the
rigors of their lot； he had permitted them； out of his great
wealth； to outdo the reptiles in the gorgeousness of their
surroundings and to shine with a superior splendor。
Architecturally； and in point of 〃furnishing；〃 the Snakery had a
severe simplicity befitting the humble circumstances of its
occupants； many of whom； indeed； could not safely have been
intrusted with the liberty which is necessary to the full enjoyment
of luxury； for they had the troublesome peculiarity of being alive。
In their own apartments； however； they were under as little
personal restraint as was compatible with their protection from the
baneful habit of swallowing one another； and； as Brayton had
thoughtfully been apprised； it was more than a tradition that some
of them had at divers times been found in parts of the premises
where it would have embarrassed them to explain their presence。
Despite the Snakery and its uncanny associationsto which； indeed；
he gave little attentionBrayton found life at the Druring mansion
very much to his mind。
III
Beyond a smart shock of surprise and a shudder of mere loathing；
Mr。 Brayton was not greatly affected。 His first thought was to
ring the call bell and bring a servant； but； although the bell cord
dangled within easy reach； he made no movement toward it； it had
occurred to his mind that the act might subject him to the
suspicion of fear； which he certainly did not feel。 He was more
keenly conscious of the incongruous nature of the situation than
affected by its perils； it was revolting； but absurd。
The reptile was of a species with which Brayton was unfamiliar。
Its length he could only conjecture； the body at the largest
visible part seemed about as thick as his forearm。 In what way was
it dangerous； if in any way？ Was it venomous？ Was it a
constrictor？ His knowledge of nature's danger signals did not
enable him to say； he had never deciphered the code。
If not dangerous； the creature was at least offensive。 It was de
trop〃matter out of place〃an impertinence。 The gem was unworthy
of the setting。 Even the barbarous taste of our time and country；
which had loaded the walls of the room with pictures； the floor
with furniture； and the furniture with bric…a…brac； had not quite
fitted the place for this bit of the savage life of the jungle。
Besidesinsupportable thought！the exhalations of its breath
mingled with the atmosphere which he himself was breathing！
These thoughts shaped themselves with greater or less definition in
Brayton's mind； and begot action。 The process is what we call
consideration and decision。 It is thus that we are wise and
unwise。 It is thus that the withered leaf in an autumn breeze
shows greater or less intelligence than its fellows； falling upon
the land or upon the lake。 The secret of human action is an open
onesomething contracts our muscles。 Does it matter if we give to
the preparatory molecular changes the name of will？
Brayton rose to his feet and prepared to b