Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-07-19

1hiOpys " SHdIe III lHe eAulldTaIlOn OIL
success touching a suspicious bot
tlelike package he carried under his
left arm-"or to support me in case of
exasperating failure"
Charlie Stuart could not say him
nay; he really had nothing on foot
whereby to kill time, and Artemus
was such a jolly and original dog that
it were worth something to have
the pleasure of his society for a space
of time.
So, hesitating, he fell.
And, thus sauntering down the
street of the Steen, the two friends
arrived in the shadow of the great
building whose history stretched back
centuries into the dim past.
Together they entered, like other
pilgrims desirous 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 decided change in her inten-
tions, for she stood still, and then
backed away.
1t was a signal victory, or, as Arte-
mus expressed it, a "howling 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 than 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
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 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 it,
since the ponderous door opened be-
fore them.
Charlie was not the one to hold
back. so he stepped beyond the portal
and went down.
Immediately the door closed, and
the clang of it was unlike any sound
he could ever remember hearing.
That creaking, rusty key turned in
the lock.
Now" said Artemus, in a 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
wended 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.
"Harki"
Artemus uttered this word in
shrill whisper. and at the same time
clutched his companions arm. Their
surroundings were so eerie that it was
not wonderful that his vivid imagina-
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 a
trap in the solid stone, through
which opening many wretched
man met his fate. Yes, it
was only the fretful flood you heard
crying peevishly for more victims"
Charles calm manner quite re-
assured the other.
Perhaps you are right; but it
sounded wonderfully like a human
voice calling for help"
Thus in tiers the dungeons lay, each
individual one seeming to surpass its
in awful associations.
Long had they been at their task
The regular routine pursued by tour