Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-03-20

lent halls.
And about time, too" cried Hayle
upon whom the place was exercising
a most curious effect. IF you've found
it, show US your precious treasure
chamber"
"All in good time, my friend, all in
good time" said Kitwater. Things
have gone so smoothly with us hither-
to that we must look for little set
back before we've done"
! 1--WE don't want any setbacks," said
Hayle. "What we want are the rubieS
as big as pigeons eggs, the sapphires
and gold, and then TO get back to civ
| ilization as quick a may be. That's
what's the matter with me-"
As | have already observed, the
courtyard in which they were standing
was considerably larger than any they
| had yet entered. Like the others, how
ever, it had fallen sadly to decay, The
jungle had crept in at all points, and
/ gorgeous creepers had wreathed them
selves round the necks Of the statues
| above the gateway.
81 don't see any sign Of steps" said
Hayle, when they had examined the
place in silence for some minutes. 81
. thought you said a fight of stone steps
led up to where the kings throne was
placed?"
"Codd certainly read ii So" Kitwa-
ter answered. looking about him as IL
he did not quite realize the situation.
"And how are we TO know that there
are not some steps here? They may
be hidden. What do you think, little
man?"
He turned TO Codd. who was looking
about him with eyes in which a curious
light was shining.
steps must be somewhere" the lat
ter replied. We've got to find them
but not tonight. Sun going down.
Too late"
This was undoubtedly true, and so.
without more ado. but none the less
reluctantly. the three travellers re-
traced their steps to their camp upon
the hillside. Hayle was certainly not
in a good temper. The monotony of
the long journey from civilization had
proved too much for him. and he was
ready to take offense at anything.
Fortunately, however, Kitwater was
not of the same way of thinking, 9th
erwise there would probably have been
trouble between them.
Next morning they were up and had
breakfasted before the sun was in the
sky. Their meal al an end, they picked
up their arms and tools. babe their
servants have a care of the camp, and
then set off on their quest once more.
There was a perceptible change, how
ever. in their demeanors. A nervous
excitement had taken possession Of
them, and il affected each man in diff
ferent manner. Kitwater was suspi
cious, Hayle was morose, while little
Codd repeatedly puckered up his
mouth as if he were about to whistle,
but no sound ever came from it. The
sky overhead was emerald blue. the
air was full of the sweetest perfumes,
while birds of the most gorgeous
plumage flew continually across their
path. They had no regard, however,
for natures beauties. The craving for
wealth was in their hearts, rendering
them blind to everything else. They
crossed the stone bridge, passed
through the outer portion of the city.
proceeded over the second moat, and
at last, with the familiarity of old !
friends, made their way up the steps !
towards the courtyard of the kings |
palace.
Now, my friends, listen to me-"
said Kitwater, as he spoke throwing !
down the tools he had been carrying, |
what we have to do is 10 thoroughly !
sound the whole of this courtyard, |
inch by inch and stone by stone. We !
can't be wrong, for that is the court
yard of the Three Elephants Heads, |
there can be no doubt. You take the !
side" he went on, address
ing Hayle; you, Coddy, must take the |
left. I'll try the middle. If we don't |
hit il to-day we'll do so tomorrow, or
the next day, or the day after that !
This is the place we were told about,
and IL the treasure is 10 be found any
where, il will be here. For that Tea-
son we've got to set about the search
as soon as possible! Now to work."
Using the iron bars they had brought |
with them for the purpose, they began
their task, humping the iron down
upon each individual stone in the hope |
of eliciting the hollow sound that was
to reveal the presence of the treasure
chamber. With the regularity of au-
donations they paraded up and down |
the walled Enclosure without speak |
ing, until they had thoroughly tested |
every single stone; no sort of success, |
however, rewarded their endeavors.
II expected as much" said Hayle, |
angrily, as he threw down the bar. |
you've been humbugged, and our |
journey is all undertaken for nothing. |
| was a fool ever TO have listened to |
your nonsensical yarn. / might have
known il would have come 10 nothing. |
H's not the first time I've been treas
ure hunting but I'll swear it shall be
the last. I've had enough of these fool
cries"
A dangerous light was gathering in |
Kitwater's eyes. He moreover drew