The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-05-04
G5e
MYSTERY
By Stewart Edward White
And Samuel Hopkins Adams
Copyright. 1907, by Mcclure, Phillips a Co.
CHAPTER xxx.

entrance. Elsewhere the surf fel
Whitley, but through the arch the
waves rolled unbroken into heav.
stiffness. Only as the boat lowered fol
a moment at the face of the cliff could
the exploring party hear. far within
the hollow boom that told of breakers
on a distant subterranean beach.
Run her In easy" came the cap
tain's order. Keep sharp lookout
for hidden rocks"
To the whispering plash of the oars
they moved from sunlight into twi
light, from twilight into darkness. OF
a sudden the oars jerked convulsively
A great roar had broken upon the ears
Of the sailors The invisible roof above
lthem, the water heaving beneath
them. the walls that hemmed them In
called with n multiplication of reso-
nance upon the name of barrow. The
boat qulvered with the start Of its oc.
cupants. Then one Or two laughed
weakly as they realized that what the,
had heard was no supernatural voice.
II was the captain halling for the ma
jrooned man.
| No vocal answer came, but an indie
terminable space away they could hear
a low splash. followed by second aud
a third. Something coughed weakly
In front and 10 the right Trcndon's
hand went TO his revolver. The men
sat stlffenel. One of them svore IN
"A whisper.
| c"Sllcnce in the boat" said the cap
| tain In such buoyant tones that the
men braced themselves against the eX
pected peril.
Light the lantern and pass 1t to
me-" came the order Keep below the
gunwale. men"
As the match spluttered, do you see
something few rods TO port?" asked
| the captain In Trendon's ear.
Pair of green lights" said Trondon
Eyes. Seals!''
"Seals. Seals. Sealsr' shouted the
walls. for the surgeon had suddenly
released his voice. And as the mock
cry doomed the green lights disappear
ed. and there was more splashing from
the distance. The crew sat up again.
The lantern spread its radiance. II
was reflected from battlements Of
fairy beauty. Everywhere the walls
We're set. as with gems, In broad wales
of varied and vivid hues. Dazzled at
first. the explorers soon were able TO
discern the general nature of the sub
terranean world which they had en-
tered. In most places the walls rose
sheer and rnscalable from the water.
In others turreted rocks thrust their
cleaning crags upward. Over TO star
board little beach shone with Quak
or grayness in that spectacular display
The end Of the cavern was still beyond
the area of light.
Must have been swimmer TO get
in here" commented Trendon, glanc-
Ing at the walls
Unless lie had a boat" said the
captain. But why doesn't he an
swerT'
Better try again. No telling how
much more there is of this"
The surgeon raised his ponderous
below. and the cave roared again with
the summons. Silence, formidable and
unbrokcn. succeeded.
House TO house search is now in
order" he said. Must be in here
somewhere unless thesseals got him.
Cautiously the boat moved forward.
Once she grazed ON half submerged
rock. Again tiny islet doomed before
her. Scattered bones glistened on the
rocky shore. but they were not human
relics Occasionally beaches tempted a
landing. but all of these led back 10
precipitous cliffs except one. from the
side of which opened two small caves.
Into the first the lantern cast its
glare, revealing emptiness. for the
arch was wide and the cave shallow.
The entrance to the other was so mar
row as to send a visitor TO his knees.
But inside II seemed to open out.
Moreover, ttere We're fish bones at the
entrance. i'he captain. the surgeon
and Congdon. the cockswain. landed.
Captain Parkinson reached the spot
first. STOPPING he thrust his head In
at the orifice. A sharp exclamation
broke from him. lie rose to his feet,
turning a contorted face to the others.
Poisonous" he cried.
More volcano" said Trendon. He
bent TO the black hole and shifted eau
tiously.
an go In, SIR" volunteered Cong
don. I've had fire practice"
MY business" said Tren6on briefly.
Decomposition; unpleasant but not
dangerous"
Pushing the lantern before him, he
wormed his way until the light was
blotted out. Presently 1t shone forth
from the funnel. showing that the ex-
plorer had reached the inner open
space. Captain Parkinson dropped
down aud peered in. but the evil odor
was too much for him. He retired.
gagging and coughing. Trendon was
gone for what seemed an interminable
time. His superior officer fidgeted I'M
easily. At last he could stand 1t no
longer
"Dr. Trendon, are you all rlghtT' lie
shouted.
"Yup." answered choked voice.
Clubbing oud dow"
Again the funnel was darkened A
pair Of feet appeared. then the sur