The Washington times., 1903-03-29
The sub,erranesn echoes alone rcpn-

The subterranean echoes alone rcpli-
ed.
Considerably alarmed. he lit several
matches in succession. and began an ex-
pioration OF the hole; but he had not
gone ten PAGES before the useIessness OF
the proceeding came home 10 him
The hollow interior OF the crater de-
scended in a gentle slope. so that there
was no fear OF a dangerou fan. On the
other hand. Sir BuccphaIus could not
have venturod on a useless exploration
without a light.
II seemed. therefore, certain that he
was on the crater. and he mus, in all
probability have been tempted TO visit
one Of the neighobrinR valleys.
Sir Bucephalus is not there" said
Norbert 20 Smith. who had followed him
anxiously. You had better go and see
IL you can ind him. Meanwhile We will
commence work here. for there is not a
minute to lose. and every instant's delay
costs us much precious air.
Smith obeyed. and rest set to work
vigorously.
Virgil had already deposited the water
and cement in hole dug with the sho-
vel. and. mixing the cement. he now laid
IL on the wall that was rapidly rising un-
der Norberrs hands. The doctor pick
ed up the stones. and Gertrude and Fa-
TINA passed them with hearty laugh
at their own unaccustomod strength.
"Look, said Gertrude. holding out
rock that would have weighed 4 ton
on the earth. rs this little stone OF
any use to you?"
The work proceeded as rapidly as II
Titans were the builders.
In a few minutes the wall reached to
the foot OF Tehbani. and as the pIaste-
solidi6ed at once on account Of the
extreme dryness. their task was com
pleted.
Smith came back then and signided by
heartbroken gestures that he had not
found the baronet
After an instanJ's reflection Norbert
resolved to give the signal TO return to
the observatory.
Perhaps" he thought. Sir Buce-
phalus may have gone by another
route, or he may be back soon"
There was no baronet to be seen in
the drawing room. as they had hoped
but there were traces Of his appetite
The lunch left on the table was half
gene. Cold meat. ham. wine. biscuits
and dessert had all been laid under
contribution.
n Truth. sir BucephaIus could not
have eaten all that had disappeared. He
must have taken some Of it away with
hi-D
4 dare say, said the doctor. that
finding something Interesting at the
foot o. the mountain. he hurried back
20 il a; once"
The explanation seemed plausible.
and was accepted by the company in
default Of any other solution. They
took their seats at the table without
further delay.
Wen. we are glad 70 have found a
good supply OF air in that cave" said
the doctor. when he had somewhat sat
ished his appetite. But how will YOU
manage TO utilize it. my dear Mauny.
now that. like another Eolus. you have
succeeded in imprisoning it in your
cavern DO you intend 10 send us there
for change OF air now and then. jus.
as I used TO pack my patients OF TO
Monte Carlo in those happy days when
did not practice on the moon2 Or do
you mean to put the air into barrels and
transport il here?"
Ny plan is much simpler" answered
Norbprr You know that I began bv
boring a well down the middle OF the
mountain. II the bottom Of the well is
put into communication with the air
reservoir and a ventilator fitted 10 one
OF these windows. the whole of the OBJ
servatory Will have a sufficient supply. b,
1T is good idea But are YOU moi
afraid Of being too generous with that
precious air. Would il NOT be more
prudent to restrain the supply to what
is absolutely necessary BY passing it
brouEh rubber OF Ieaden tubes furnished
with a tap2 The tube would have TO be
Of q considerable length. though. and
probably you have no, got such a thing
In store"
We have all that we require" re-
piled Norbert
There has not been much 10 com
plain OF hitherto. " said the doctor But
it is really painful not TO be able 10
exchange ones thoughts outside this
observatory, A bright idea occurred to
me a little while ago. Why shouldn't we
learn the deaf and dumb languaee?''
Where shall we find It's alphabet"
said Norbert. 81 own that never