The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-08-24

Is my WOEhSuOP-
As his eyes became familiar with the
light. Laport saw figures moving
about. and he thought he heard the
sound of hammers. There are six
workmen," said Kent They have
been fitting up the place for offices and
headquarters. Let me show you your
rooms
They crossed the area, their figures
making shifting and fantastic shad-
ows, and came to rude wooden struc-
ture built against the side of the rock.
Externally it presented the appear
ance of a mere shanty, but when Kent
opened the door. he found it comfort
ably carpeted and furnished and lit by
a large lamp. A table stood in the
center upon which were heaped papers
and writing material. A bookcase
and water-cooler and a little buffet
with decanters and glasses gave the
place an air of luxury. The wooden
walls had been tastefully papered and
several pictures hung upon them.
Kent waited to see the effect upon
his visitor and then said: "A fairly
comfortable retreat, professor. and
think you will now agree with me that
it is a safe one. Here is speaking
tube and signal bell communicating
with the house above. Here is sleep
ing ROOM" he added, as he threw open
a side door and disclosed a narrow
apartment with a comfortable bed and
all the necessary chamber appurten-
ances. "You can work out your de-
signs here without fear of interrupt
ton and be entirely safe from the vari-
ations of the season, as this thermom-
eter will show you. But of course do
not expect you to spend all your time
out of the sunlight. should advise you
not to give more than half your day to
this part of the establishment unless
there is danger of discovery. You are
free TO go and come at your inclina-
ton"
Laport sat down in a comfortable
chair 81 should like to ask you a few
practical questions he said. but the
fact is the whole disclosure is so much
like one of the stories of the Arabian
Nights that anything practical seems
out of place"
We'll, pray dismiss all notions of
magic and Illusion replied Kent with
a smile The cave is the only thing
that approaches the miraculous-all
the rest is plain sailing hard work with
the assistance of science. 1t remains
for you to say, after you have made a
thorough examination of the place, If
it can be made tenantable for 4 year. y
II should say at once" said Laport,
shat if you have the means at COM
mand-that it can. l know nothing
about the ventilation or salubrity of it.
and the work is so gigantic that at
first sight should say it would require
a stock company with unlimited capt.
tai to effect the purpose"
Il have roughly figured the improve
ments at million dollars" said Kent,
and that of course is an economical
estimate. The money l have. 1t is
not a question of resources. 1t is
a question of practicability. / want
you to familiarize yourself with the
place-make yourself comfortable.
look over my plans which you will find
fully just what tools and materials you
need and be ready to talk to ne more
fully at the end of fortnight. Your
salary will commence from to-day and
you can draw on me for money when
YOU please. The sooner you get an &C
curate estimate of the material, the
sooner l can begin to get it in. The
70 l-.z a N
electric plant and a tramway. We
must have light and means of convey
ance. 1t is impossible to deliver the
heavy material at this entrance am
going away tomorrow and will be
back in about a week. In that time l
expect you to have formed clear
Judgment of what you can do. You are
too tired to-day to go over the ground,
but / will introduce yon to my right
hand man here who viii be subject to
your directions when we get to work
and he will guide you in your explora-
tions. 1 shall be gone one or two weeks.
You will find many of the conveniences
of life here. The mail is brought once
day and includes the principal pa
pers of the country and some of its
best periodical literature. There are
stationery and appliances in the
rooms. 1 would not, if 1 were you,
venture far from the house above
ground alone, and remember that my
name here is Hendricks and yours is
Franklin. Is there anything you
would like to say to me before 1 go?"
Laport hesitated moment. and then
replied: Yes There is one person
whom 1 should like to know of my
freedom. 1t is the only person on
earth for whom l have a deep affec
ton. and who on hearing of my escape
will be tormented with anxiety"
And who might that person be?'
1T is my daughter"
Where is she?"
I'm Boston"
You want to communicate with
HERO
II should like to set her mind at rest
in some way, even if l cannot see her"
II need not tell you" said Hen
bricks, that communication with her
is exactly what the detectives who are
searching for you expect They nave
already put a watch upon her; know
all her actions and follow every one
who calls upon her. Her mails are
even intercepted No. no. Not ut
present BY and by when the scent is
cold, we can get word to her. and
when we have proper accommodations,
you can have her with you if you like,
but not now"
CHAPTER VI.
The next morning there arrived at
the house very early dark-visaged,
Observation-Disclosures and somewhat
rough-looking parsonage, whom Hen