Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-07-01

ers, tho trees, the grass, tho waters OF
tho lakes, the white buildings, the Co.'S
tunes Of the people in the streets, even
the sky, changed in aspect. The white
! clouds looked like firelit smoke, and
far toward the west rolled the long limo
Of pink. still struggling with the gray
and driving it back
The sun now came into sight, great
bleeding ball Of fire slowly rising above
the gilded roofs in the distance.
by Jove, look at our shadows" ex.
claimed Johnston, and both men gazed
at the balcony floor in amazement
Their shadows were as clearly defined
and black as silhouettes "How do you
account for that?" continued the Amer
ican. II am firmly convinced that this
sun is not the orb that shines over my
native land"
Thorndyke laughed, but his laugh was
forced. "How absurd, and yet He
extended his hand over the balustrade
into the rosy glow, and without conclud-
ing his remark held it back into the
shadow of the window easement. "By
Jover' he exclaimed. There is not
particle Of warmth in it. 1t is exactly
the same temperature IN the shade as in
the light" He moved back against the
wall. mo: there is no difference; the
blamed thing doesn't give out any
warmth"
Johnston's hands were extended in
the light II believe you are right. he
declared in ave- Something IL wrong.
At that moment appeared from the
room behind them handsome youth,
attired in suit Of scarlet silk that fitted
bis athletic figure perfectly. He raped
softly OH the window easement and
bowed when they turned.
"Your breakfast Is waiting for you,
he announced. They followed him into
a room adjoining the one they had occu-
pied and found table holding o sump'
tuous repast The boy gave them seats
and handed them golden plates to eat
upon. The fruits, wine and meats were
very appetizing, and they ate with rel
ish.
II believe we are to be conducted to
the palace of your king tomorrow, ven
tured the Englishman to the boy.
The boy shook his head, but made no
reply and busted himself with remov-
ing the dishes. AS they were rising
from the table, they heard footsteps in
the hall outside. The door opened. 1t
was Captain Tradmos, and he was &c
companied by tall, bearded man with
leather case under his arm.
"You must undergo medical exami-
nation" the captain said smilingly.
ut is our invariable custom, but this is
BY q special order from the king"
Johnston shuddered as he looked at
the odd looking instruments the medic
al man was taking from the case, but
Thorndyke watched his movements
with phlogmatic indifference. He stood
erect, threw back his shoulders, ex-
| banded his massive chest and struck 1t
with his clinchcd fist in pantomimic
boastfulness
Tradmos smiled genially, but there
was something curt and official in his
tone when he next spoke that took the
Englishman slightly aback. "You must
bare your breast over your heart and
lungs, be said, and while Thorndyke
was unbuttoning his shirt he and the
medical man went to the door and
brought into the room q great golden
| bell hanging in O metallic frame.
The bell was SO thin and sensitive to
the slightest jar or movement that. al
though it had been handled with ex-
treme care, the captives could sec that
It was vibrating considerably, and the
room was filled with o low metallic
sound that not only affected the eur OF
the hearer, but set every nerve to tin
Cling. The medical man stopped the
eound by laying his hand upon the bell
To tube in the top Of tho bell he fas-
tened one end Of rubber pipe The
other end was finished with silver de-
vice shaped like the mouthpiece of
speaking tube This he firmly pressed
over the Englishman's heart Thorn
dyke WINGED and bit his lip, for the
strange thing took hold Of his flesh with
tho tenacity Of powerful suction
pump
"Ouchr' he exclaimed playfully, but
Johnston saw that be had turned pale
and that his face was drawn as If from
pain.
"Hold stiur ordered the medical
man. lit will be over in q minute
Now be perfectly quiet and listen to the
bell"
The Englishman stood motionless,
the sinews Of his neck drawn and knot
ted. his eyes starting from their sock
cts. Thorndyke felt the rubber tube
quiver suddenly and writhe with the
slow energy Of dying snake, and then
from the quivering bell came low,
gurgling sound like stream Of water
being forced backward and forward.
Tradmos and the medical man STEP
ped to the bell and inspected small
dial on its top
"What was thatr" gasped the Eng
lishman, purple in the face.
"The sound Of your blood" answer
ed Tradmos as he removed the instru'
ment from Thorndyke's flesh 1T is as
regular as mine. You are very lucky.
You are slightly fatigued, but you will
be sound in day or two"
'"Thank you," replied the English
man, but he sank into q chair. over
come with weakness.
"Now, I'll take you, please" said
the medical man, motioning Johnston
to rise.
II am slightly nervous" apologized
the latter as he stood up and awkward