Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1895-01-09
me take your hand nm familiar
with the stems"

solid stairway which for some distance
was very steep. At the end of twenty
feet they came to a rock landing ani
a new opening leading downward moro
gradually at right angles to the mair
shaft. Laport saw that the entire pas
sage was natural rift or chasm. He
turned at the landing and looked bach
at the stairway dimly seen in tho dark
ness stretching up above them.
81 know what you are thinking Of
said Kent, lit is that b. the destruc.
ton of the steps one is caught like a
rat in trap. But you forget that
there are other exits and, besides,
have bored into the stratum above
with an artesian drill and know where
it is thinnest. Let us go down."
A light shone in the distance, and its
reflection enabled Laport to descend
without further difficulty. In places the
natural slant of the rock needed no
steps. At others Kent warned him of
a sudden rise or fall in the path. AS
near as Laport could judge the second
passage was fifty feet long and only at
a few points wide enough to pass two
men abreast. On reaching the bottom
of the declivity, he found himself in
an enormous stone room or arena, that
was lit in part by two or three power
full lamps and refectors. AS accurately
| as he could determine with his eye,
the roof rock was eighty or hundred
! feet high where 1t was lit by the
reflected lights, beyond which was a
/ 80 - 80
rotunda were uneven and slanted
| away at different angles, that portion
J through whose assure they had come
being the nearest to q perpendic-
ular "The dimension of this
ROOM" said Kent, in an explana-
tory way, SIS about half an acre. It
leads by sort of corridor, fifty feet
wide and two hundred feet long, to a
much larger opening. This at present
is my workshop"
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 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
filed with books, handsome filter
and water-cooler and 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: ga fairly
comfortable retreat, professor, and I
think you will now agree with me that
it is a safe one. Here is a speaking
tube and signal bell communicating
with the house above. Here is Sleep
a side door and disclosed 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
- 10 - 10 lo1 ~
this part of the tablishment unless
there is danger of discovery. You are
free to go and come at your inclina-
tton.''
Laport sat down in a comfortable |
chair. 81 should like to ask you 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."
''Well, pray dismiss all notions of
magic and illusion" replied Kent with
a smile. 1.-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
thorough examination of the place, If
it can be made tenantable for year,
II should say at once" said Laport,
that if you have the means at com
nand-that it can. know nothing
lbout the ventilation or salubrity of it,
Ind the work is SO gigantic that at
irst sight should say it would require
! stock company with unlimited CAPT
al to effect the purpose
II have roughly figured the improve
nents at a million dollars said Kent,
and that of course is an economical
estimate. The money | have. It is
lot a question of resources. 1t is
! question of practicability. I want
vou to familiarize yourself with the
,lace- make yourself comfortable,
ook over my plans which you will find
n that portfolio there, estimate care
ul1y just what tools and materials you
iced and be ready to talk to me more
ully at the end of a fortnight. Your
alary will commence from to-day and I
'ou can draw on me for money when /
'ou please. The sooner you get an ac- ]
urate estimate of the material, the l
OOner can barin t0 rat ~ IN Tho /.