A MASTERLY BRIGAND 163 
Whether they are really as wicked as rumor cred¬ 
its them is to be doubted. But at all events they 
are to be feared, for their poison fangs are their 
chief and indeed only weapon in killing their 
prey. They have no silken cord to bind their 
victims, as the garden spiders have. Theirs is a 
much riskier job. They must leap courageously 
upon the foe, and strike with all the venom they 
possess. Moreover, they must be keen enough 
to choose a vital spot, for, strong as their poison 
is, it is doubtful if the victim could be killed in¬ 
stantly, unless a nerve center were struck. Fabre 
found that a bite inflicted upon the leg of a fledge¬ 
ling sparrow and, in another instance, upon the 
nose of a mole, resulted in the death of both of 
the innocent victims within a few days. To be 
sure, a poison that would kill a sparrow or a mole 
might not cause death to a human being, but it is 
always wise to play safe.” 
“ I won’t touch one of them,” interposed 
Tommy solemnly, apparently realizing that much 
of this preamble was for his benefit. “ I promise 
you that faithfully. Uncle John. But I suppose 
a fellow may investigate them? ” 
“ With discretion, yes; and you will find them 
wonderfully interesting, too. First: there’s the 
ingenuity of their clever little turrets. These are 
seldom more than an inch high, but they are quite 
tall enough to conceal the little brigand lurking 
