Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-21

1
muscles. he raised and extended the stick
horizontally: he kept 1t In that position.
but Il was evident to his sense OF FEELING
that the rod manifested tendency 10 as
sumo. an oblique direction. Just q II q
thread were tied to its extremity and some
one below lightly pulling Il.
What was the cause Of thfsf Must he
dismiss his former sceptfctsm and believe
this stan Of witch hazel. electrified by the
nervous force Of his own body, become
transformed for the moment into q sort OF
magnet, capable Of being attracted by met
ais? Was he standing on the site OF the
Vikings buried treasure? Was the very
treasure itself lying upon the clay flooring
at his feet? If he struck match would
his eye be caught by the sparkle OF silver
and gold? No; he would reserve the light
and make what discoveries he could with
out it.
Relinauishing his hold Of the metallic
rod, he dropped upon his knees. and Win
his face bent low put forth his nands:;
Hark, What was that?
The silent watcher at the entrance start
A faint cry from the interior of the hill
ock as of one calling for help, and then
For some time Godfrey had kept his ear
close to the flooring Of the passage po-
sition which enabled him to follow the
footsteps of Idris. But now these fooI-
steps had ceased. their cessation peins ioi-
lowed shortly afterward by the cry.
Godfrey continued to listen, but, though
strainins his ear to the utmost, ne eouio
not detect the faintest sound, A suspl-
ciously horrible stiffness prevailed Wltnin.
'Idris. Idris!' he called out senoans e ge
and "Idris Idris!" was echoed from inc
roof in tones that seemed like mocKery
of his own If the dead In the sepulcnral
chamber were gliding at him the eHece
could not have been more weird
Again he called aloud. and again thele
was no answer save the echoes OF MS own
voice. ~, \, r,.d
There fell upon him terror ike tnat
which has turned mems hair gray In SIN
gle night. He did not doubt, ne coulu "a
doubt. that some disaster hau n.ppoui s''"
He must hasten to the rescue; duty. hu
manIty. friendship. honor-all these plehu,
ing together in a voice of thunder urged
him forward. Every moment was pr
cious, and yet to venture lnto 'n nsac u M
folly. for what was there to prevent nm
from meeting with the same rate as Iolls
He rose to his feet and turned ms eyes
toward the cliffs and sea beacn IN 'i ie,torn
NJ seeing n coast guard. whose lantern
would at this juncture be OF inestin'a ..n,
service, But. alas! no coast GUARD W.
visible and to go Off in search Oh ohe W., VIZ
out of the question. when mtn"1 life and
make all the difference between iiie anu
death. :, alone and
without light, and he herveu o,anne
sa1f FOR the task Casting one glance
at the Sky. the sea, the land. as objects ne
might never see again. he snatcheo up .no
pickax to serve as weapon VI - md
against he knew not whom OF via, t;nn
nj,Inged into the mouth OF the eAcasa Ioii
that yawned black and grim before nm.
His course through the passage was much
quicker than that Of Idris had oeeh. III.
could be no danger here seeing ne. aea,., +hs
bsd trayersed il in safety. Therefore the
surgeon CROPPED his way swiftly along ,hs
wall of the corridor until II suddenly turne9
off at right angles. whence he cohcluoeu
that he was at the END OF the Sep'ie'i o.
chamber -, at,
There was no vocal reply, but faint
snIas h greeted his ears like the movement
of hand through water. souno "iiicn
Godfrey interpreted as an answer:
For a terrible idea had seized nm me
f,oor of the chamber was of earth oniy'
and not of masonry. he thought; ana tne
rain of centuries. percoiating .nlousn ane
roof, had converted this floor into quag.
mire Incapable of supporting the lghtest
weight Idris had become Immersed III II,
had lust sunk below the surface; MS voice
was gone: ne had just given his last gasp!
How was he to save him? One step for
ward and he himself might be In the ABYSS
of mud.
To test his opinion he flung the pickax
forward. taking care to AVOID me s s'.
whence came the splash. As it fell Godfrey
drew a breath of relief. The clangor mace
by the falling implement proved that the
uuagmre was the creation OF his fancy
StiII what had become of ldriS that he
made no reply? He must be somewhere
within this chamber. seeing That there was
no egress from 1t except by the passage.
O for a light, If only that of a match! Its
momentary CLEAN would SuHce 10 u'SpeA
the mystery.
He listened for Idris' breathing. but
failed to detect any sound: Idrfs, IL ne
were really here. was as still as the dead.
k1xnr
than to grope about until he came upon
the body of Idrfs, an unpleasant task, see
ing that 1t might bring him into contact
with the bones Of Vikings!
PAGES and his knee knocked against some
obstruction Putting out his hand he as
certained that directly in front of him was
something formed OF hewn stone one. .,,,a
a tomb Godfrey gave 1t a wide range. and
in so doing stumbled and fell over another
object
It was a human body. In a moment God
frey was upon his knees. and passing his
hand quickly over the PROSTATE figure he
discovered that 1t was Idris In state of
coma.
Idris had put into his vest pocket. and on
finding it, drew 1t forth. Taking out one
of the wax lights he struck It on the side
Of the box.
Never within Godfrey's experience had
the striking OF match been attended with
result SO appalling. for he Immediately
found himself in an atmosphere of many
colored flame. The hot breath Of a fiery
furnace giowed around. dazzling his eyes,
scorching his face.
In that moment of bewilderment and ter
ror the words of the runic ring flashed
through his mind. and found expression in
his gasping articulation:
1.-The fires Of the Asas!'
simultaneously with the illumination
fierce defamation like powder blast rent the
air, and Godfrey flung backward as by
giant hand tumbled senseless to the ground
(TO be continued tomorrow)
Anacostia and Vicinity.