"He had a scheme," said Dick, "but shiver me if I can fathom it."
"I'm beginning to feel a bit queer in the head," spoke up Matt. "I wonder if I only imagine it?"
"No imagination about it, matey," declared Dick. "I'm feeling some queer myself."
"I don't see why we should," said Townsend. "What is there about this head to exert such an evil influence?"
"There must be something," returned Matt, "to stretch out fellows like Whistler and Jurgens as we see them."
"Whoosh!" exclaimed Dick. "Hear 'em breathe! Their breath seems to be coming harder and harder. I wonder if that odor could kill a man?"
"It must have killed the monkey," said Matt. "If it would kill an animal in that way, I don't see why it wouldn't kill a man."
"Have you that paper that was found in the chest, Matt?" asked Townsend.
Matt drew the parchment from his pocket and stepped closer to the candle which, a few moments before, he had handed to Dick.
Then, while he read the written words, Townsend kept his keen, inquiring eyes on the idol's head.
"It may be," observed Townsend, when the reading was finished, "that there is a hidden meaning in that communication. The question is, what is that hidden meaning? Does it deal with high finance, or thaumaturgy, or any of the other arts, black or white, with which princes of the black art are supposed to arm themselves? Ha! Answer me, some of you."
Matt gave a jump and stared at Dick. Dick, also startled, returned Matt's stare with interest.
Townsend was talking nonsense--and he was always a grave, earnest man with no use whatever for anything foolish or extravagant.
Was the deadly odor taking effect upon his brain?
Holding the head as Hamlet held the skull of Yorick, Townsend struck an attitude.
Just at that moment some one bounded into the room, snatched the head of Obboney from his hands and hurled it against the wall.
There was a smash, a tinkling clatter as of pebbles upon the floor, then silence.
"Ged oudt oof here! ged oudt or you vas all deadt men! Helup me, Matt, to pull dose fellers on der floor indo der odder room. Ach, himmelblitzen! you don'd know vat a shance you vas daking. Aber _I_ know--yah, so helup me!"
"Carl!" gasped Matt, staggering toward the Dutch boy.
"You bed you," answered Carl. "Ged Downsent avay, kevick! Tick, you do dot. Matt und I vill look afder der fellers on der floor."