Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-07-10

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"We must bltndfold you." he said.
only way of reaching the kings do.
main, we can never get back to CIV
ilization unless they release us Of their
own accord-that' certain.
Heavens, isn't it still!' exclaimed
the Englishman. 1.-The machinery Of
this thing moves as noiselessly as the
backbone of an eel. wish I could un.
derstand its works"
Il am Slore concerned about where
we are going. tell you we are being
taken to some wonderful place. People
who can construct such marvels Of
mechanical skill as this boat will not
be behind in other things; then look at
the physiQues of those giants.
just then the man who had drawn
down the shade came in and raised it.
Both the captives pretended to be unin-
terested in his movements, but when he
had withdrawn they looked through
the glass eagerly.
"See." whispered Thorndyke in the
ear of his companion. 1.-THE walls are
close to US and are as perpendicular as
those of the lake in which they found
u.s."
Johnston said nothing. His attention
was riveted to the walls of rock. The
vessel was rising rapidly. An hour
passed. The soft music had ceased, and
the air seemed less dense and fresher.
Then the waters suddenly parted over
the roof and ran in crystal streams
down the oval glass.
They were ON the surface, and the
vessel was slowly gliding toward tho
shore, which could not be seen, owing
to there now being no light except that
inside the boat. Captain Tradmos en-
tered, followed by two of his men hold.
ing black silken bandages.
1--WE must blindfold you," he said.
"Captives are not allowed to see the
entrance to our kingdom.
Without a word they submitted.
"This way" said the captain kindly,
and holding to an arm Of each he pilot.
ed them out Of the vessel to the shore.
Then he led them through what they
imagined to be long stone corridor or
arcade. from the ringing echoes of their
feet on the stone pavement. Presently
they came to what seemed to be an ele-
vator, for when they had entered it and
sat down they heard q metallic door
slide back into its place, and they de.
scended quickly.
They could form no idea as to the
distance they went down. But Thorn
dyke declared afterward that it was
over 10000 feet. When the elevator
stopped, Captain Tradmos led them
out, and both Of the oaptives were con.
soious Of breathing the paxcst, most in
MIGRATING air they had over inhaled
Instantly their strength r~turned, and
they felt remarkably buoyant as they
were led along over another pavement
Of polished stone.
Tradmos Laughed. "You like the at
mosphere?"
II never heard Of anything like it"
said Thorndyke. 1T is SO delightful I
can almost taste it. ;"
ut was that which made Alpha what
it is-the most wonderful country in
the universe" said the officer. There
Il much in store for you
The ears Of the two captives were
greeted by q vague, indefinabla hum,
like and yet unlike that of busy city.
1t was like many farof sounds carefully
muffled. Now and then they heard hu-
man voices laughter and singing in the
distance and the twenging OF musical
instruments.
Then they knew that they were en-
tering building Of some sort, for thsy
heard a key turn in a lock, and the
humming sound in the distance was cut
of. They felt soft carpet under their
feet, and the feet Of their guards no
longer clinked ON the stones.
When the bandages were removed,
they found themselves in sumptuous
chamber, alone with the captain. The
brilliant light from quantity shaped
candelsbrum, in the center Of tho cham
Der, dazzled them, but in few minutes
their eyes had become accustomed to it.
Tradmos seemed to be enjoying the
looks Of astonishment on their faces az
they glanced at the different objects in
the room.
ut is night" he said smilingly.
"You need rest after your voyage Lie
down on the beds and sleep. Tomorrow
you will be conducted to the palace Of
the king"
With bow he withdrew, and they
heard massive bolt slide into the SOCK
ct Of o door hidden behind a curtain.
The two men gazed at each other with
out speaking for a moment, and then
they began to inspect the room.
In alcoves half yelled with silken
curtains stood statues in gold and
bronze. The walls and ceilings were
decorated with pictures unlike any they
had ever seen. Before one, 1he picture
Of an angel flying through o dark,
star SLED sky, they both stood, enchant-
ed.
What is it," asked Thorndyke, find
ing voice finally. "It is not done with
brush or pencil. The features seem
alive. and, by Jove, you can actually
see it breathe. Don't you see the clouds
gliding by and the wings moving:"
1T is light-it is formed by light"
declared the other enthusiastically, and
he ran to the wall. about six feet from
the picture, and put his hand on q
square metal box screwed to the wall.
Il have it," he said quickly. Come
here
The Englishman adv anced curiously
and examined the box.
Don't you see that tiny sneck Of