The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-16

black hole It was the mouth of the
tunnel. Into 1t ran eight wide tracks Of
railway and six mammoth oables, each
20 or so feet in diameter.
"The sun cannot be far away now"
remarked the Alphian.
''Is it not lighted2"
~ presume not. I think IL comes
through in darkness The light is saved
for its passage over Alpha"
would it not be as safe for US to at.
tempt to walk through the tunnel to the
palace of the king?"
Never. It would be over 80 miles in
utter darkness. There may be 1000
trestles and bridges over frightful
ohasms. For the most part have heard
the tunnel is natural channel or sue.
cession Of caverns united by tunnels.
The other is the safer way, though it
certainly is risky enough"
Louder and nearer grew the rumbling
noise, and faint light began to shine
from the tunnel and fash on the cliff
opposite
"It is the SUMS headlight, explained
Branasko.
Johnston was thrilled to the center Of
his being as he saw the light playing
over the polished tracks and cables and
illuminating the walls Of the great tun-
mel.
Suddenly there was a deep, mellow
toned stroke Of bell in the sun, and as
the two men shrank inyoluntarily into
the deeper shade of the cliff the great
globe, stupendous ball Of crystal 500
feet in height, slowly emerged from the
mouth of the tunnel and came to a stop
under tho opening in the rock which led
to the space above.
"What had we better do now2" said
Johnston.
"Wait," cautioned Branasko, and he
drew the American to great bowlder
nearer the sun. from behind which they
could, without being seen, watch the
action of the crowd Of workmen that
was hurriedly approaching. They placed
ladders Of steel against the sides Of the
sun and swarmed over it like bees.
"They are cleaning the glass and ad.
justing the lights" said the Alphian.
"Wait till they go round to the other
side. Don't you see that square opening
near the ground?"
The American nodded.
"It is the door, said Branasko, land
we must try to enter it while they are
on the other side. Let Us slip nearer.
There is another rock ahead that we
can hide behind" Suiting the action to
the word, Branasko led tho way, stoop-
ing near to the ground until both were
safely ensconced behind the bowlder in
question. They were now 80 near that
they could hear the electricians rubbing
the glass
One who seemed to be superintend
ing the work opened the door and went
into the sun and lighted bright light.
From where they we're crouched John
ston and Branasko caught view Of @
little hall, flight Of stairs and some
pictures on the walls.
Presently the man extinguished the
light and came out.
"They are removing their ladders
from this side," said Branasko in
whisper. "Be ready. We must act.
quickly and without a particle Of sound.
Run straight for that door and climb
up the steps Immediately.
The men had all gone round to the
other side, and no one was in sight.
"Quickl Follow me-" And bending
low to the earth the Alphian darted
across the intervening space and into
the doorway. Johnston was quite as
successful. As he entered the door he
saw Branasko crawling up the carpeted
stairs ahead Of him, and, on his all
tours, he followed The first landing
was large, and there in the wall they
found closet. 1t would have been dark
but for dim light that streamed down
from above. Branasko opened the closet
door. ave must hide here for the pres
ent, he whispered.
They had barely got seated on the
floor and closed the door when bright
light broke round them and they heard
somebody ascending the stairs. The per-
son passed by and went Oh farther up.
The two adventurous dared not exchange
a word. They could hear the footsteps
above and the sound Of the electricians
outside as they polished the lights and
moved their ladders from place to place.
IF he should stay, what could we
do?" asked Johnston, after long pause,
and when the footsteps sounded farther
away.
"There are two of us and one of
him." grimly replied the hrawny AL
phian.
Johnston shuddered. "Les 8 not com.
NIT murder in any emergency" he said.
st would not be murder. Every man
has right to save his own life. b."
Nothing more was said just then, for
the footsteps were growing nearer. The
man was descending. He crossed the
landing they were on and went down
the last flight of stairs and out of the
door.
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