The Press., 1894-01-11

 cured to the plate from the under side.
 Holding my lantern, could see an iron ladder, which leaneda against the stone on which we stood.
 'Let us descend. . said the don.
 But the airi'' l exclaimed: 'the atmosphere!'
 Plenty of ventilation there." he re- piled, from the outside.
 We were soon at the foot of the lad der, some 12 feet below. The vault was large one, solidly walled up with stone. The floor was solid stone, and ranged along the walls were barrels, casks, boxes and moldy packages with out number. Most of them, at kick, would drop to pieces. In number of the boxes were bottled goods, old wines and brandies.
 Here" said I, "is where our wine comes from.
 Here is where it originally came ftom," said tho don. "Old Martell moved it up above Lefore he died, but he must have left d great quantity here. These boxes and bales contain all man. ner of goods, now surely worthless. |"
 We had reached one end of the vault.
 Do you care to see the resting place of my ancestors? You must. as l de- sire to be laid beside them ''
 He grasped lever sunk in the wall and pulled, and d sheet iron plate some 12 feet in length sank slowly into the ground and revealed three stone steps, which we mounted and stood in room of, l judge, 15 feet square. l nearly tainted. The don drew from his pocket flask of brandy We took swallow each, and it revived us.
 There, extended on two sides of this room were marble slabs, some feet wide and elevated on stone floor. On these slabs and side by side lay long objects. held my lantern close. They were evidently bundles of some kind. Cloth or canvas was wrap ped around them, and they had been wrapped with care. Of some of them there was evidently little substance left. as the packages were almost fiat.
 My ancestors, said the don. No coffin even confined their limbs. Each wrapped ill oiled silk and canvas, has there been laid at rest father and son, for generations back, except such as lie beneath the ocean waves. This one the last ill this row, was my father Each of these frames was once master of Chanson and pirate chief The women of the race all lie in the ceme- tery at Coquombo, as does my own son. desire to be the last of my race to be laid here. When die, place me here, next my father. Pedro will assist you He knows where the oiled silk and can vas can be found. Now for the treas ures."
 He stepped to the end of the room, and from underneath the marble slab pulled out another lever. A slab sank from the side of the wall and disclosed a small space of 6 feet in length and per- haps deep. There on the floor stood a brass or iron bound box, and on it lay a form similar to those on the marble slabs.
 "Old Martell," :" said the don. Let us remove him."
 We each seized one end of the bun- dle. A handful of rotten canvas; noth- ing more. l set down my lantern ard took hold with both hands. The can. vas and silk came away, and the dry bones of old Martell rolled from the cas- ket, rattling as they struck the stone floor. The vertebra snapped asunder, and the grinning head of the silent sen tinel rolled down the three stone steps.
 ''Poor old Martellp' said the don. "l will soon keep you company. ''-
 He fitted key to the casket, and we soon had it open. The don removed what, judge, was once pirate flag from the top, and I saw before me un- told wealth-diamonds, rubies, pearls, gold coin of every nation. 1 raised a handful of the jewels, How they spar kled!
 "When 1 am dead," said the don, remove them. They are yours. No crowned head of Europe possesses their value. Stay! Put these in your pocket, that after you have slept this may not seem dream. And now bring back the head of old Martell. It was ever a true one, and, old friend, we will leave it with you."
 l did so, and he closed the casket. We placed the skeleton again on its lid.
 "Now mark my movements we'll, " said the don, as he showed back the lev CT. The slab arose to its place. We passed out of the tomb, he pushed back the lever, and naught but wall con fronted us. Back through the vault, another pushing back of a lever, and the entrance was closed. We were soon out of the council room, the door lock- ed, and back in the library.
 The clock struck 9. The don was very pale.
 Here, Claud, are the keys. never desire to see them again. You have ob- served all. '
 ''I have observed all and can scarcely believe what have seen, but God grant that it may be yet many years before you are laid with your ancestors be- low"
 Promise me. Claud. to fulfill my wishes.''
 "I promise," replied.
 Well, a glass of brandy and good night, or rather good morning, and don't forget your promise.
 went to the floor above to my sleep ing wife and boy.
 (Continued next week.
 Virpin;a,s Senator Elect