Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-12-06
[From.the Now York Firesido Companion.]
ml 5 IS MUPM,
THE DETECTIVE.
'.5 S-SS
BY TONY PASTOR.
CHAPTER XXXYI.
-wOw--
AN ADVENTURE IN AN OLD RUIN.

preston wos that it was o robbers den, and
common sense would have suggested the
danger of going right into the secret lair of
such lawlcss gang. Spraguc had left his
carbinc behind, and was only armed with
his pistol. A few steps, aud ho drew near
the spot whence the glimmcr of light camc.
a moment later, and ho found himself in a
tubterrancan room. The apartment pos
aessed few rude cooking utensils, peculiar
to tho rowing bands of the Syrian plains,
and other articles, proving to be an abode.
A lamp was suspended from the ceiling,
which, filled with oil, cast radiance around.
Not living soul did tho detective behold,
although there were signs Of very recent
occupation. Across one end of the strange
room was suspended dinsy curtain which
had onco becl rich crimson damask.
Still governed moro by curiosity than pru-
dense, tho detective pushed aside the
curtain and disclosed another passage.
Coolly stepping b,ck, he took down tho sus
pended lump and, using it in place of
torch, started to continue his explorations
Following tho passage through various
windihgs, he finally emerged into ruined
court and stood under the broad light of
MONDAY. Around him, on every side, rose
walls at least twenty feet in height; unl
crumbliug on tho ground were portions of
stone which had once been part of circular
piazza or gallery. Ia the center stood the
remains of what had once been fountain,
and the detective had read enough about
Oriental ruins to know that he was in tho
courtyard of what had onco been mag
niicent palace many centuries ago
GA nice old place this form modern New
Yorker!' he remarked, when suddenly his
quick ear detect d the sound Of human
step.
Turning about quickly, he caught
passing glimpse of what appeared to be
female figure. lie saw the woman but
moment, when she disappeared as though
by magic. The detectives heart for
moment was thrilled with strange wild
hope. The possibility started across his
mind that by accident hc had stumbled
beyond the Arab den, where the two girls,
Amalic and Lucy, had been temporarily
concealed. Graspng his revolver 60 as to
be prepared for accidents, he fastened
toward the spot where hc had seen the figure.
When he reached there he cav nothing.
Her sudden disappearance was unexplainu-
bio. lie searchcd around ia every
direction, behind broken columns and heaps
of ruins, but not sign could be discovered.
The idea struck him that after all ho might
have been deceived by freak of his imagi.
nation. Instantly aftcrward, however, this
suspicion was dispcllcd as the sound of
human voice broke upon his ears. lie stood
and listened. A moment, and he conclulcd
that it was female singing in an unknown
tongue, and the tunes of an instrument in
formed him that she was accompanying
herself, possibly with lutte.
"l'li lind that singer" he murmurcd, "if
1t costs me my lifc!' and he commenced to
search for passage leading from tho court
lie was rewarded in finding the opening
to passage, and this he entered AS he
proceeded tho tones of tho voice ceased.
Still he kept on, carrying the lamp with
him, which he had taken from the first cave
lie had not proceeded far when he came to
place where a second curtain hung across
the passage. This he concluded must be
tho entrance into tho apartment where tho
fair singer was locatcd lie pushed aside
the curtain, and such n sccno of rude
magnifccnco met his gaze as caused him to
stand transGxed with astonishmcnt and
wonder. Tarnishcd articles Of former great
value and gorgoousncss lay scattered around
in careless confusion; but it was not these
that held the detectives glance Lying
upon lounges, and side carpctings spread
upon the floor, were at least twenty females
Of rare beauty. They we're robcd in very
ncgligc costumes, and as upon his entrance
they rose to their feet and gazcd at the
intruder with looks of wild terror, they
presented a picture so beautiful and en-
trancing, as to completely bcwldcr the
bcholdcr. Seemingly their terror paralyzcd
their vocal organs, os they only gazed with.
out having power to give uttcrancc to the
terror which filled their lovely bosoms.
The truth flashed upon the detectives mind
at once. lie had penetrated the harcm of
the Sheik, who most probably ruled over
the robber Arab band who Inhabited the
ruins as their secret lair The instant
Walton Spraguc recovered from his surprise
and amazcmcn., he stepped back and let the
curtain fall. At once ecrics of wild and
piercing shricks arose from within the
scrgaio. Tho detective in the first moment
OF surprise, had dropped his lamp, which
had been crushed to atoms at his feet, and
upon retracipg few steps he found himself
once again cnvcopod in impcnctrablc dark
ness. lie would not have entered the place
had he known what was behind the curtains;
and as no retreatcd ho knew that he had
beon ono of tho few, if not the only Faro
peao, who had ever behold such bcwildcr
ing sight. Hc hastened along, supposng
that ho was retrcating toward the opening
by which he had entered the passage; sud
denly, however, ho felt himself flying
through space. After that all was blank.
When returned to consciousness he com