Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-20

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 fight of stone steps
led up to where the kings throne was
placed?"
"Codd certainly read it So" Kitwa-
ter answered, looking about him as if
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
mar?"
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 at an end, they picked
up their arms and tools, babe their
servants have care of the camp, and
then set off on their quest once more
There was perceptible change, how
ever. in their demeanors. A nervous
excitement had taken possession of
them, and it affected each man in diff
ferent manner. Ntwater 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 few 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 to 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
right-hand side" he went on, address
ing Hayle; you, Coddy, must take the
left. I'll try the middle If we don't
hit it 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 if the treasure is to be found any
where, it will be here. For that rea-
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 ehciting 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.
81 expected as much" said Hayle,
angrily, as he threw down the bar.
you've been humbugged, and our
journey is all undertaken for nothing.
l was fool ever to have listened to
your nonsensical yarn. I might have
known it would have come to nothing.
It'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
the iron bar as if in anticipation of
trouble, and placed his fists defantly
on his lips.
IF you're going to talk like that,
my boy" he began, with never a
quaver in his voice, cts best for us
to understand each other straight off
Once and for all, let me tell you that
I'll have none of your bounce. Wheth-
er or not this business is destined to
come to anything, you may rely upon
one thing, and that is the fact that I
did my best to do you good turn by
allowing you to come into it. There's
another thing that calls for comment,
and you can deny it if you will It's
O fact that you've been bling
and growing ever since we left Ran
COON, and have made difficulties in
Vulnerable whore you needn't have
done so, and now, because you think
the affair is going to turn out badly,
you round upon me as if it were all a
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