Maud Leonardo, since her arrival home, was scarcely herself, she avoided all intercourse, spoke to no one, and locked herself in her chamber.  But now she started forth intent on some purpose, as was evident from the direct and prompt step she pursued.  Yes, from her window she had seen Charles, and Helen wander leisurely and affectionately together towards the jungle, and to the same point she now directed her steps, though by a circuitous path.  She muttered to herself as she went, and walked with unwonted speed, as though she feared to lose one moment of time.  At this quick pace, she was soon hidden in the paths of the thick undergrowth and forest land.

“Hark! what sound is that?” said Helen, suddenly turning and peering into the thick foliage which surrounded the spot.

“I hear nothing,” replied Charles Bramble.  “It was some bird perhaps, among these branches.  But why do you look so pale, Helen?”

“It is so terrible.  I thought the sound was like that of one of those terrible serpents that frequent these parts, the anaconda, creeping towards us.”

“Nay, dearest, it was but your imagination; these reptiles avoid the near approach to human habitations, and would not be likely to be here.”

“There! there it is again,” she said convulsively, drawing closely to his side, while both looked towards the spot from whence at that moment a sound proceeded.

In a moment more there broke forth from the clustering vines and trees the figure of a man, with a drawn sword, who hastened with lowering brow towards them!  It was Robert Bramble, incensed beyond endurance at the sight which met his vision through the vista of the foliage on his approaching the spot; he paused but for one single moment, then yielding to the power of his almost ungovernable temper, he drew his sword and rushed forward, determined to sacrifice his brother’s life.  Helen seeing plainly and instantly the state of affairs, threw herself with a scream of terror before Charles to protect him, unarmed as he was, from the keen weapon that gleamed in his brother’s hand.

But strange are the ways of Providence, and past finding out.  At that instant he staggered, reeled forward, and placing one hand to his forehead fell nearly at their feet!

Amazed at this, Charles and Helen both hastened to his side, but he was speechless, and ere he could be removed from the position in which he fell, life was wholly extinct.  What was it that had so strangely, so suddenly sacrificed him in the midst of his fell intent?  Hark!  Charles starts as a shrill, low whizzing sound was heard close to his ear!  The mystery is explained, a poisoned barb had killed his brother, entering the eye and piercing the brain, while this second one that had just whistled past his car, had been intended for him.  He turned hastily to the direction from whence the missile had come, and there stood or rather staggered Maud Leonardo.  He hastened now to her side as she gradually half knelt, half fell to the ground.  Her eyes rolled madly in their pockets, her hands grasped vainly at the air, and she muttered incoherently.