the nick of time by the discovery that one of these Vampire Bats, a
particularly large one, had formed the habit of flying into her room at
night and attaching itself to her bare arm which lay outside the
coverlet."

"How did it penetrate the mosquito curtains?" I enquired, incredulously.

"The very point, Knox, which led to the discovery of the truth. The
thing, exhibiting a sort of uncanny intelligence, used to work its
way up under the edge of the netting. This disturbance of the curtains
was noticed on several occasions by the nurse who occupied an
adjoining room, and finally led to the detection of the bat!"

"But surely," I said, "such a visitation would awaken any sleeper?"

"On the contrary, it induces deeper sleep. But I have not yet come to
my point, Knox. The vengeance of the High Priest of Voodoo, who figured
in the Colonel's narrative, was characteristic in the case of the
native woman, since her symptoms at least simulated those which would
result from the visits of a Vampire Bat, although of course they may
have been due to a slow poison. But you will not have failed to note
that the several attacks upon the Colonel personally were made with
more ordinary weapons. On two occasions at least a rifle was employed."

"Yes," I replied, slowly. "You are wondering why the lingering sickness
did not visit him?"

"I am, Knox. I can only suppose that he proved to be immune. You recall
his statement that he made an almost miraculous recovery from the fever
which attacked him after his visit to the Black Belt? This would seem