The Washington herald., 1906-11-13

old mans mouth. Next moment he was
uttered the least sound had he been ever
50 disposed
Cressingham searched the walls OF the
room, and presently discovered bell
rope, which he sharply pulled Two min
Utes afterward a knock sounded on the
door. and a negro entered the room. He
was instantly stunned by a blow from a
club. bound, and gagged.
Cressingham rang the bell again, and
again repeated the process, until eleven OF
the counts servants had been thus hap
PLY disposed Of. Thereafter no answer
was vouchsafed his summons.
Leaving the Count d'Attala in charge OF
two gentlemen. whom he gave strict or
ders 20 shoot the old man should any
rescue be attempted. Cressingham then
sailed forth at the head OF his thirteen
remaining comrades 10 explore the castle
room by room. Every apartment on the
ground floor was deserted. Ascending the
staircase, they found a similar condition
10 prevail: no sign could they find Of
madame or Miss Elliott, and Crossing
ham. in regard TO the latter. became filed
with the gravest anxiety. 1t became
necessary 10 approach the basement. and
after a little search they discovered a
staircase leading downward from the first
floor. Daylight had already broken by
this. and they were able 10 discard their
lanterns as useless lumber With strain
ing eyes, and cooked revolvers grasped on
their right hands, they silently descended
20 the lower regions: but their caution
was In vain; the place was utterly aban-
doned.
The basement was one huge open
structure. taking up much space, but con-
tanning no separate rooms at all. One
end was entirely occupied by a very ex-
tensive kitchen, replete with every detail
of kitchen arrangements: two large steam
stoves. three marble tables. several dress
ers filled with plate OF all descriptions.
and two dumb-waiters leading TO the
rooms above. The remainder Of the place
was slung with hammocks, shat swung
between the iron columns which support
ed the castle. These hammocks appeared
10 have been lately occupied, but their
tenants had vanished into air The floor
beneath was covered with Arabian mat
ting; there were no chairs or other furni-
ture in sight; all was scrupUlously neat
and clean.
Beyond the kitchen the basement open
ed upon a small, square garden Of flowers
and vegetables, separated theFefTOm by
open doors Of glass. The garden was as
deserted however. as the rest Of the es-
tablishment. A few moments sufficed 10
explore everything. and Cresslngham was
constrained to pause for the moment en-
tirely baffled.
One Of his companions, however. who
had fingered among the flowers, called
him suddenly. and pointed to a thin trail
Of smoke that issued from the rock below
the sheer ledge upon which the garden
In ell rfes
ton, all distinctly heard the muffied thud
Of engines, the faint whirr Of machinery
in motion, which seemed to arise from
beneath their very feet
Another search was Immediately insti-
tuted, and this revealed presently a trap
door in the very center Of the basement.
whose presence the mating had at first
concealed from view. Opening this, the
roar Of machinery instantly grew louder,
but the darkness below was intense.
Lamps were again brought into use, and
soon they silently commenced the de-
scent. Their caution was entirely need
less. They found themselves in an i'm
mense apartment similar TO the basement
only this was entirely shut in by the solid
framework Of the mountain. for ii was
nothing but a monstrous excavation in
the rock. Their lamps showed them at
one end large dynamo and steam en-
gine, both of which were in motion; at
the other, mass Of different machinery
and telegraphist's operating table. upon
which an instrument monotonously tick
ed. Against the central wall reposed a
large printing press and long fonts of
type; also two typographical machines
which would not have been out Of place
in the workrOom of a London journal
The place was further occupied by quite
a score of men, some white some black
asleep.
Those awake turned and glanced at the
intruders, but with an Indifference which
was at first startling from its utter un-
eXpectedness- But the reason was soon
made manifest. Each movement that they
made was accompanied by the clanking
of iron, and hasty examination inform
ed Cressingham that they were one and
all gyved and fettered with the most
superlative care, their heavy chains in
every case being riveted to ring-bolts in
the floor While the gentlemen stood
there endeavoring to recover from their
astonishment, two men got slowly to
their feet, and after a careless glance
into the furnace Of the engine. unscrew-
ed tap and poured into funneI-shaped
opening a quantity of oil from cans
which stood within their range of ac-
tion
Cressirgham's first thought was that
these men must all be suffering victims,
unfortunate creatures whom the cruel
nihilists had possibly kidnapped from