The Red Cloud chief., 1902-04-25

49, 'f ~ NV ~ ~ ~
building whose history stretched back
centuries into the dim past.
Together they entered. like other
pilgrims DESTROYS of gazing upon the
art treasures which lay within those
ancient walls.
Charlie had seen all these before.
and cast but a casual glance around,
being more deeply interested In the
actions of his confederate.
An old dame with her wide cap
started toward them. but one glance
from Artemus' eyes seemed To bring
about a decided change in her inten-
tons. for she stood still, and then
hacked away.
II was a signal victory. or. as Arte-
mus expressed il, a bowling sue
cess" nevertheless. his companion
was still fain to believe the magic of
gold had more to do with the old
lady's sudden blindness thar the ex-
ertion of rare hypnotic powers on the
part of the proud wizard.
Content to follow the others lead,
Charlie soon found himself in that
apartment where several tall brass
candlesticks stood upon an antique
table, TO be used in exploring the
mysteries below.
Artemus motioned that he should
straightway possess himself of one, in
order that their candles might have Il
proper receptacle. and Charlie. having
enlisted for the war, come veal. come
woe. took up the nearest Of the lot.
which was in itself a treasure of art.
Nervously Artemus tried several
keys in rapid succession. muttering to
himself the while in d way peculiar to
him. At last came a little subdued
screech that announced success on
the part of the chattering idiot at his
side. They were evidently in for il
since the pOnderous dOor opened be
fore them.
Charlie was not the one to hold
back, $ % he stepped beyond the portal
and went down.
Immediately the door closed. and
the clang of il was unlike any sound
he could ever remember hearing.
That creaking, rusty key turned in
the lock.
Nov" said Artemus, in shrill
voice, pregnant with eager anticipa-
ton, now we are in control, and the
devil dungeons of the Steen must
yield up their CHASTITY secrets to a
master"
Down the venerable stairs they
wendell their way. Could those same
steps have been gifted with the power
OF speech. what strange and startling
tales they might have given forth. of
human misery, OF historical person
ages and deeds that would have made
the bravest cheeks pale. But they
were mute. The dread secrets of the
dim past would ever be safe in their
keeping.
"Hark!"
Artemus uttered this word in a
shrill whisper, and at the same time
clutched his companions arm. Their
surroundings were sc eerie that It was
not wonderful that his vivid magma
ton seized upon the slightest pretext
TO arouse the ghosts that had lain
here for long centuries.
What you hear is only the CUR
Cling Of the river Sheldt beneath our
feet. At the foot of the worn stone
staircase we descended there Is q
trap In the solid stone, through
which opening many a wretched
condemned man met his fate. Yes. IL
was only the fretful food You heard
crying peevishly for more victims"
Charles calm manner quite re-
assured the other.
Perhaps o are right: but II
sounded wonderfully like a human
voice calling for help"
Thus In tiers the dungeons lay, each
individual n seeming to surpass It's
predecessors in awful associations.
Long had they been al their task
The regular routine pursued by tour,
list and guide had been done; but
there were other dark passages to ex
plore. gloomy as the river Styx-
passages that the ordinary voyage
lever saw, but which Artemus wa!
bound to investigate; for IL perchanc,
there was a grain Of truth in tn,
story he had heard, surely the prison
er of the Iron Mask must be founC
in such an unused quarter.
Charlie began to feel a bit anxious
He was about ready to confess tina
for one he had quite enough OF ii
and only figured on how he Nigh
manage to curb this insatiate ambi
ton on the part of his companion.
The task was taken from his hands
however, and in a most unexpected
manner.
Artemus was eagerly urging him oil
to fresh fields and pastures new,
while Charlie held the other in check
fearful lest they fall into some hor
rible pit, with rusty spikes at the bot
tom, such as they had discovered il
n dungeon, when, suddenly. with
out warning, there came to their ear
a sound so strange in this uncanny re
gion, so utterly out OF sympath,
with their surroundings, hat bot
men stood still. as though paralyze,
and tho gpiIn1 uou 90 ~ a unnoa