Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-05-31
Ny Strangest Case
BY GUY BOOTHBY.
Author of cdr. Kikoia," 90 The Beautiful
White Devii,'' Pharos, The
Egyptian" Etc.
copyrighted, 1901, by Ward, Lock & Col
PART n.-CONTINUED.


Leaving the jungle behind them,
they found themselves face to face
with a curious stone bridge, spanning
the lake or moat which surrounded
the city, and in which the lotus flower
bloomed luxuriantly. When they had
crossed the bridge, they stood in the
precincts of the city itself. On either
hand rose the ruins in all their soli-
tary bankruptcies, temples, mar
alet places, and houses in endless con-
fusion; while, at the end of the
bridge. and running to right and left
as far as the eye could reach, was a
high wall, constructed OF large stones,
each one of which would have re-
CURED the efforts of at least four men
to lift it. These, with a few excep-
lions, were in an excellent state of
preservation. Passing through the
massive gateway thc travellers found
themselves in an open square, out of
which streets branched off to the right
and left, while the jungle thrust in its
snquisitlve nose on every possible oc-
casion. The silence was so impress
sive that the men found themselves
speaking in whispers. Not a sound
was to be heard save the f1uttering of
BIRDS wings among the trees, and the
obscene chattering of he monkeys
among the leaves. From the first
great square the street began gradu-
ally to ascend; then another moat was
crossed, and the second portion of the
city was reached. Here the buildings
were larger, and the sculpture upon
the walls more impressive even than
before. In the narrower streets
creepers trailed from side to side. al
most shutting out the light, and add
ing a twilight effect to the already
sufficiently mysterious rooms and
courtyards to be seen within.
This is by no means the most
cheerful sort of place." said Hayle to
kitwater, as they passed down a
paved street side by side. "Where do
you expect to find the great temple
and the courtyard of the Three Ele-
plants Heads?"
straight on" said little Codd, who
was behind, and had been comparing
the route they were following with
the plan he held in his hand
As he spoke they entered another
square, and saw before them a mighty
flight of steps, worn into grooves in
places by the thousands of feet that
had assembled and descended them In
days gene by, At the top was sculp-
tured gateway, finer than anything
either Of them had ever seen, and this
They presently entered. Above them,
ciear Of the trees, and towering up
into the blue, were the multitudinous
ZONES and spires of the kings palace,
80 which the gateway above the steps
was the principal entrance. Some of
the spires were broken, some were COW
cred with creepers, others were mutt
sated by time and by stress of weather.
but the general effect was grand in
the extreme. From courtyard to
courtyard they wandered, but without
finding the particular place of which
they were in search. 1t was more diff
cult to discover than they had expect
ed; indeed, they had walked many.
miles through deserted streets. and
the afternoon was well advanced be-
fore a hail from Codd. who had gone
On ahead of them, informed them that
at last some sort of success had
crowned their efforts. When thew
came up with him they found them
selves in courtyard somewhat larger
than those they had previously ex-