Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1902-03-19
My Strangest Case
BY GUY BoOrHBY.
Author Of CDR. KlkoIa,'' 1.-The Beautiful
White Devil Pharos, The
Egyptian" Etc.
copyrighted, 1901. by ward, Lock & Col
PART II.-CoNTINUEn.


Without more ado. like men who
were drunk with the finest wines, they
followed him along the passage and
up the steps into the open air. They
were just In time to see the sun set
ting blood-red behind the jungle. His
beauty, however. had no effect upon
them. In all proba bility they were re-
CARELESS of him altogether for with
almost simultaneous signs Of relief
they threw themselves down upon rhe
nag-Stones of the COURTYARD. and set
TO work. with feveriSh earnestness. to
overhaul the booty they had procured.
All three were good Judges of stones.
ana very brief examination was suf-
hcient. even in the feeble evening light.
10 enable them to see that they were
not only gems of the first water, but
also stones Of such size as is seldom
seen in these unregenerate DAYS.
KS the biggest scoop on earth"
said Hayle, unconsciouSly echoiur the
expression kitwater had used to him
in Singapore. whats better. there
are hundreds more like them down be-
low. III tel you " hat it j.. my friends.
were just the richest men on this
III
don't YOU forget it,"
In his excitement he shook hands
wildly with his companions. His ill
humor had vanished like breath off a
razor, and now he was on the best of
terms not only with himself. but also
with the world in general.
If l know anything about stones
t1ere are at least 100000 worth in
this little parcel" he said, enthusiasts
t;callv. and, what is more. there is a
rli:.ion or perhaps two millions TO be
- ta- She trouble OF looking for
item. What do you say if we 90 be-
l)w again?"
NO. MOI said Kitwater, its too
late. We'd better be getting back to
She camp as soon as may be-"
Very we'll Hayle replied, reluct-
emily.
They accordingly picked up their
i~on bars and replaced the stone that
covered the entrance to the subter-
r1ncan passage.
81 don't ike leaving it," said Hayle.
1T don't seem to me O be safe. some
how. Think what there is down there.
doesn't il strike YOU that IL would be
letter 10 fill our pockets while we've
tSe chance? Who knows what might
happen before we can come again2"
Nonsense said Kitwatcr. who
do you think is going to rob MS Of
It? What's the use OF WORRYING
sbout it,? IN the morning wen come
back and fiji our bags, and then clear
out of The place for civilization as if
he devil and an were after MS. Just
think my lads, what there Will be to-
divide"
"A million apiece. az least" said
Hsyle rapturou-Iy, and then I'm am
awed voice he added. as if hc were
discounted by his own significance.
- never thought 10 be- worth "a quar-
ter OF that Somehow H. doesn't
seem as If 10 can be real"
cts quite real" said Mr.. Codd. as
be sprink.ed some dry dust round the
crack of the stone TO give IN am ap-
pearancc Of not having been dis
turbed. There's no doubt Of IT,"
When he had finished they picked
mp their tools and set oT on their re-
turn Journey TO the camp. The sun
han disappeared behind the Jungle
whh hey left the courtyard of the
Three Elephants Heads and ascend
ed the stone steps towards the inner
moat They crossed the bridge. and
entered the outer city in silence.
The place was very drcarv az that
hour OF the day, and 30 Gold, who
'vas of an imaginative turn OF mind.
- seemed as IL faces ont Of the long
deserted past were Watching him
from every house. His companions.
Ahowever, were scarcely SO impress
onable. They were cloatinr over
treasure they mad won for them
YES, ana one, at least. was spcru-
aAe ss 70 how he should spend his