The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
AN AERIAL RUWAWAY
BY ". p and c. p Chitman.
Copyright. 1901. Lothrop Publishing Company.
CHAPTER XIII.
Admax1a Scores, Too.

up head he found himself alone before the altar
Kissing to his feet he looked about him with bewldered
ing, his three associates calm and dgnfed. Only
the burning sacrifice gave testimony the reality of the
stirring incident in which he had borne the principal part
At loss at first to know what expected of him. it
finally dawned upon the discounted ecclesastic that he
to perform his official functions usual and with
perceptib hesitation he proceeded with
dismissed the congregation.
The strangers escorted only by Admaxla, went out
with the throng and assembled to their apartments When
back in the room however, Todd, who greatly
cited over the victory the professor had the
priest, turned to Rod, asking
"How was it you prevented that fire from coming
down the shaft chuma Did Professor Barton really
catch it in his hand and throw upon the altar If so
why did it not burn himg Come now, tell all about it,
for suppose this is the trick that you suggested should
be played the old priest.'
II think the professor tell you how we
ranged it better than can,'' Rod replied modestly.
''There is really very little to tell, Mr.. Barton
commenced. "Admaxla showed us how to reach the
great dome by and apparently Htteused stair
way. At its top Rod and 1 left him to keep guard,
while climbed up rude ladder fastened to the in
side wall until we came out upon the summit of the bell
shaped roof.
''There is parapet about the crown imperceptible
from the street. yet wide enough for to walk about
it. Standing this studied the mechanism before
US with the deepest interest. About the inner wall of
the parapet half dozen metallic mirrors
ranged as to catch the rays Of the and throw them
upon convex lens.
|'Ths lens is of immense size and is cut with
precision and finished with smoothness and polish that
little short of marvellous It is also placed upon
metal framework that be adjusted at any angle you
DESIRE SO that you can focus the of the rising the
meridian the setting upon it, Probably there
times when is used to knde the morning and evening
well as the sacrifice
"Beow the lens the scarlet curtains fixed
that they be rolled back by cords which down
inside Of the walls of the shaft probably to the front Of
the altar By pressure of his foot upon slab there
the high priest has them under his CONTROL part them
at his will, and may be the sole possessor Of the
cret by which the miraculous fire is transmitted to the
sacrifice.
"After studying the apparatus awhile, Rod and I
able to throw the lens of focus for the meridian
and prevent the descent of the usual In my
in my vest pocket it's head just outside of my
elenched fingers, and when passed my hand along the
front Of the altar gnited Only waiting for it to get
into full blaze, and taking I not burned,
threw it into the hollow center Of the sacramento pe
where it kind1ed the combusbles already laid by the
GAS to the Quichuan words used Rod learned them
Of Admaa last evening, and practised in the of
them while on the dome until had them perfect So a
match, few native words, little skful acting, and
the throwing of the great lens out Of gear, the
stock in trade with which met and vanqushed the old
ecclesastic-a very simple thing after al.''
s'That reminds me-" Rod now remarked, FEI must
up and throw the lens back into position. The
priest may take notion to Investigate his apparatus,
and catch to little trck.''
t'Let go with you,'' Todd exclaimed, as the pro-
fessor nodded his head in approval of the proposition
''An right, on; and you, too, Admaxla,'' Rod
answered, reckoning to the native lad join them.
They were gone more than two hours, and on their
return had story to tell which greatly interested the
professor ana N.Y. Iodo hoo was the speaker and SAID:
FfWe had difficulty in reaching the top Of the
stairway unnoticed by any one and there left
Admaxa guard, the professor and had done dur
ing the previous trip Then Todd and cambered up
the dome to it's summit, where it but moments
work to throw the lens back into its old place. When
this accomplished, was anxious to descend,
to make good escape while the way clear; for
somehow could not help feeling that the old priest
would visit the tower before great while But Todd
desired to examine the whole mechanism, and to take
view of the city and lake and surrounding country
the parapet humored him till my patience about
exhausted and then said WELL I'm going whether you
do not and if you caught here you must get
Of the scrape best you can
'He laughed, and started to follow me, but before
either Of had slipped down thru the manhole to the
ladder, Admaxla joined We could that he was
greatly excited and between his words and gestures
managed to make out that some one was coming