Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-02-06

upon truth, or the mere fabric of ;
Dutch legend. And you will accom-
pany me, my boy, out of pure philan
thropy, to share in the exhilaration O
success'-touching a suspicious bot
tlelike package he carried under hi.
left arm-"or to support me in case O
exasperating failure"
Charlie Stuart could not say hin
nay; he really had nothing on foo
whereby to kill time, and Artemu.
was such jolly and original dog thai
il were worth something to have
the pleasure of his society for a space
of time.
So, hesitating, he fell
And, thus sauntering down the
street of the Steen, the two friends
arrived in the shadow of the grea,
building whose history stretched back
centuries into the dim past.
Together they entered, like other
pilgrims DESTROYS of gazing upon the
art treasures which lay within those
ancient walls
Charlie had seen all these before,
and cast but a casual glance around,
being more deeply interested in the
actions of his confederate.
An old dame with her wide cap
started toward them, but one glance
from Artemus' eyes seemed to bring
about a decided change in her inten-
tons, for she stood still, and then
backed away.
1t was signal victory, or. as Arte-
mus expressed it, a "howling sue
cess" nevertheless, his companion
was still fain to believe the magic of
gold had more to do with the old
lady's sudden blindness than the ex-
ertion of rare hypnotic powers on the
part of the proud wizard.
Content to follow the others lead.
Charlie soon found himself in that
apartment where several tall brass
candlesticks stood upon an antique
table, to be used in exploring the
mysteries below
Artemus motioned that he should
straightway possess himself of one, in
order that their candles might have a
proper receptacle, and Charlie, having
enlisted for the war, come veal, come
woe, took up the nearest of the lot,
which was in itself a treasure of art.
Nervously Artemus tried several
keys in rapid succession, muttering to
himself the while in way peculiar to
him. At last came a little subdued
screech that announced success on
the part of the chattering idiot at his
side. They were evidently in for it,
since the ponderous door opened be-
fore them
Charlie was not the one to hold |
back, so he stepped beyond the portal
and went down.
Immediately the door closed, and
the clang of it was unlike any sound
he could ever remember hearing.
That creaking, rusty key turned in
the lock.
Now" said Artemus, in a shrill
voice, pregnant with eager anticipa-
ton, now We are in control and the
devil dungeons of the Steen must
yield up their CHASTITY secrets to a
naster''
Down the venerable stairs they
wended their way. Could those same
steps have been gifted with the power
If speech, what strange and startling
ales they might have given forth, of
human misery, of historical person
Iges and deeds that would have made
he bravest cheeks pale. But they
we're mute. The dread secrets of the
i'm past would ever be safe in their
.eeping.
"Harkl"
Artemus uttered this word In a
brill whisper, and at the same time
lutched his companions arm. Their
surroundings were so eerie that it was
OF wonderful that his vivid magma
on seized upon the slightest pretext
} arouse the ghosts that had lain
ere for long centuries. )
What you hear is only the CUR
ling of the river Sheldt beneath our ;
'et. At the foot of the worn stone :
aircase we descended there is a =
ap in the solid stone, through
hich opening many wretched >
'ndemned man met his fate Yes. it ;,
as only the fretful flood you heard h
ying peevishly for more Victims" :,
Charles calm manner quite re- 9
sured the other. !,
Perhaps you are right; but it h
unded wonderfully like a human h
ice calling for help" =,
Thus in tiers the dungeons lay, each n
dividual one seeming to surpass its n
edecessors in awful associations. h
Long had they been at their task. n
le regular routine pursued by tour
and guide had been done; but
ere were other dark passages to ex-
IRE, gloomy as the river Styx- in
ssages that the ordinary voyager