The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-08-30

Sonry where the wind penetrated not.
This walled canal brought us at last to
three-sided landing, two sides fianked
by the jungle, the center side joining
the wall of the castle. Into this har-
Dor we crept on our own impetus that
not even the muffled chug of the pro-
peller might betray our presence. AT
one side of the landing was a trim little
launch, almost the counterpart of our
! own. Was this de Loup's mode of en-
try to his castle? Then doubtless he
was at home. And if he was there
Thaida was there also.
With directions given in whispers
we made fast to the landing.
You will stay here with the
launch" whispered Clarke to Bloc
and have ut ready to get away at once
in case we need it,
Then it ISIS Eat monsieur doubts
me?" answered Bloc in a grieved tone.
He has only to try me-
DO you think / doubt you when
thus place our lives in your hands
replied Clarke. seiZing him by the
hand. But you can aid us here. Are
your arms in readiness, Sexton? Then
| keep them concealed. for we doubtless
are outnumbered and diplomacy may
win more than force"
We stepped lightly out on the land
ing and found ourselves facing a door
of iron in the otherwise blank WALL a
heavy door incrusted with knobs an6
beset with strange heraldic devices in
has relief These latter drew Clarke S
attention and he studied them earnest
ly in the dim light. Then turning to
me with a smile of triumph he Wills
pered: "Ah, / thought so. l have the
master key. Come, we will go in
No sound broke the stiffness There
20 4la4
habitation of any sort lay beyond the
blank wall.
Clarke lifted the heavy knocker in
the center of the door and began a
tattoo of alternating long and short
raps. These We're answered from
within and my companion in his turn
answered these signals.
Then the door swung slowly open
and a gigantic form appeared framed
in the dark background of the opening.
What Is your age?" challenged a
deep voice.
l was thunderstorm at Clarke's an
swer in an even. fearless tone.
Five years." he said.
Whence do you Gomez" again in
quired the voice.
From the eternal flame" answered
my companion.
whittier do you go?" rang out the
question.
ITO the flame eternal was the re-
ply.
Whom do you BRING"
"A hitherto deluded soul who would
gain admission among us and thus
learn the true story of the fall of the
great Baal-Zeboub."
And then it dawned upon me that
no matter with what diabolicaI fra
ternity we were dealing. Clarke, with
his wonderful knowledge of the vaga-
ries that have possessed the human
mind since the dawn of the ages, mad
it's ritual at his tongues end.
But you waste our time. which is
precious. If the examination is salts
factory lead US to the Vice Regent of
Lucifer. and if he so desire he may
question us further commanded
Clarke in a tone of authority.
"'Tis we'll. To the Temple of Ba-
homet," answered the sentry.
He turned and mOtioned us to follow.
We entered and heard the door close
behind us with click, leaving us in
utter,N absolute darkness.
Your arms. whispered Clarke.
Have them ready-revolvers loose in
your holsters. automatics in your side
pockets. and button your coat so that
nothing shows. Leave the rest TO me.
Keep your nerve. no matter what hap
pens, and remember it's all humbug-
gerry. The real and only danger is in
the count himself"
Just then the light flashed forth
and we stood in a blaze of electricity.
The first impression was terror. but l
recalled Clarke's assurance. We We're
in grotto-like passageway about for
ty feet in length. From the walls, the
roof and all about us grinned and
scowled the most hideous countenan-
ces of gargoyles. imps. writing and
twisting reptiles and all sorts of
grotesque and Machiavelian shapes.
the eyes of each an electric bulb of
green or red or white.
At the end of the passage, now
Pickering. now darling to the right
and left in serrated, forked tongues of