The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1902-09-04
My StrangeSt Case
by GUY BOOTHBY.
Author o. Or. klksla, - &" The Beantiisf
White Devil. - A." Pharps. The
HgypiiRR." Rtc-
PANT IL. CnNnNrEn
loopJriss,sd, is'i, b Fa,i, Ia a Col

PART Il.-CoNuNuED.
leaving the jungle behind them,
they found themselves face To face
with curious stone bridge. spanning
the lake or moat which surrounded
the city, and in which the lotus flower
bluomcd iuxuriantly When they had
crossed the bridge, they stood IN the
precincts Of the city Itself. On either
hand rose the ruins 10 an their soli-
tary grandeur-palacc6 temples. mar
kct places, and houses In endless con-
fusion; while, at the end Of the
bridge, ==d running - right eaa lsft
as far as the eve could reach. was a
high wall. constructed 81 large stones,
each one Of which would have re-
quircd the efforts of al least four men
So M Il, These. with "a few cXcep-
tions. were In an excellent state Of
preservation. Passing through the
massive gateway the travellers found
thcmselyeS in an open square. out OF
which streets brauchCd OH to the right
and left, while the jungle thrust la its
iBquiEitivc nose ON every possible oc-
cssiOn. The silence was so impress
siyc that the men found themselves
speaking Ia whispers. Not sound
was 20 be heard save the flutierinE ~
birds wings among the trees. and the
obscene rhattering al the monkeys
among the leaves. From the first
great square the street began gradu-
silly TO ascend: then another muat was
crossed, aud 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
erccpvrs trailed from side to side. al.
most shutting out the light. and add
Ing q twilight effect 10 the alrcady
sufficiently mysterious rooms and
snurtyards Ia be- seen within.
This Is by no means the most
cheerful sort OF place" said llaylc 10
kitwAter, as they passed down
paved street side hy side. where do
you expect 10 find the great temple
and the courtyard OF the Three Elr-
plants Ilcads7"
straight on" said little Cpdd. who
was behind, and had been comparing
the route THEY were following with
the plan he held Ia his hand
As he spoke they entered another
square, aud saw before them a mighty
flight Of steps, worn into grooves ia
places by the thousands 81 feet that
had assembled and descended them In
days gone by. AZ the top was a sculp
tured gateway. finer than anything
either Of them bad ever seen, and this
they presently entered, Above them,
clear ~ the trees. and towering up
into the blue, were The multiludiUous
Gumrs and spires OF the king. palace,
g. which the gateway above the steps
Wa the principal entrance. Some Of
the spires were broken, some were Gov
cred With crccpeFs. Others were mutt
lated hy time and hy stress Of weather.
but the general effect was grand IN |
the extreme. From courtyard ~ |
courtyard they wandered, but without |
finding The particular place 81 which |
cult 10 discover than they had expect
ed, indeed, they had walked many |
miles through deserted streets, and |
the afternoon was we'll advanced be-
fore hail from Cpdd. who had gone |
on ahead Of them. informed them that |
at last some sort OF succrss had |
crowned their efforts. When they |
came up with him they found them.
selves Ia a courtyard somewhat larger |
thaa those they had previously ex-