Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-08-21
Presently the man extinguished the

Presently the man extinguished the
light and came out
They are removing their ladders
from this side," said Branasko in q
whisper. BE ready. We must act
quickly and without particle of sound.
Run straight for that door and climb
up the steps Immediately
Tho men had all gone round to the
other side, and no one was in sight
Quick! Follow me-" And bending
low to the earth the Alphian darted
across the intervening space and into
the doorway. Johnston was quite as
successful AS he entered the door he
saw Branssko crawling up the carpeted
stairs ahead Of him, and, on his all
tours, he followed. The first landing
was large, and there in the wall they
found closet 1t would have been dark
but for a dim light that streamed down
from above. Branasko opened the closet
door. I'VE must hide here for the pres
ent," he whispered.
They had barely got seated ON the
floor and closed the door when q bright
light broke round them and they heard
somebody ascending the stairs. The per-
son passed by and went on farther up.
The two Adventures dared not exchange
a word. They could hear the footsteps
above and the sound of the electricians
outside as they polished the lights and
moved their ladders from pl.ce to place.
IF he should stay, what could we
do?" asked Johnston, after long pause,
and when the footsteps sounded farther
away.
There are two of us and one of
him." grimly replied the brawny AL
phian.
Johnston shuddered. Let's not COM
NIT murder in any emergency, he said.
1T would not be murder. Every man
has right to save his own life"
Nothing more was said just then, for
the footsteps were growing nearer. The
man was descending. He crossed the
landing they were ON and went down
the last flight Of stairs and out Of the
door.
Branasko rubbed his rough hands to-
gether. 1--WE are going alone" he said,
with satisfaction.
There was a sound of sliding ladders
on the walls outside. The workmen had
finished their task. A moment later q
great bell overhead rang melfowly. The
colossal sphere trembled and rocked and
then rose and swung easily forward like
the car Of balloon.
"We are rising" said the Alphian in
q tone Of superstitious awe. Johnston
said nothing. There was cool, sinking
sensation in his stomach and his head
was swimming. Branasko. however,
was in possession Of all his faculties.
1--WE shall soon be through the shaft
We first discovered and throw our light
over Alpha" As he spoke the space
about them broke into binding bright
ness, and for few moments they could
only open their eyes for an instant ut a
time. After awhile Branasko opened
the closet door, and they went up the
stairs.
The first apartment they entered was
most luxuriously furnished Sofas.
touches and reclining chairs were scat
tcIcu ucIc anu tiicIc JSeI buo clcShut
carpet. and statues of gold and marble
stood in alcoves and inches, and strange
stereopticon lanterns, hanging from the
ceiling, threw ever changing and lifelike
pictures on the walls. The light
streamed in from without through
small circular windows After they had
walked about the room for some min
utes the Alphian pointed to half open
door and q staircase at one side Of the
room.
II think it leads to some sort Of OBJ
Dervatory ON top" he said. II have
heard that when the royal family makes
this voyage they are fond Of looking
out from 1t. Suppose we see."
Johnston acquiesced, and Branasko
opened the door. From the increased
brightness that came in they were as
sured that the stairs led outward.
Ascending many flights Of stairs and
traversing O narrow, winding gallery