The Virginia enterprise., 1909-02-19
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cooking. Then despite thie tossing of
our craft l succeeded in making a pot
of steatning hot coffee We were too
near the unknown to be in the mood
for conversations
About II o'clock Bloc, who was peer
ing into the darkness ahead, whis-
pered, "A la droit. Lille des Serpents." :"
l looked and rising out Of the dark
ness was black mass against the
softer shades of the shore line.
With directions given in whispers
we made fast to the landing.
you will stay here with the
launch" whispered Clarke to Bloc,
"and have it ready to get away at
once in case we need it,
Then it iss Eat monsieur doubts
me?" answered Bloc in grieved tnoe.
He has only to try me-
do you think doubt you when 1
thus place our lives in your hands ?"
replied Clarke, selling 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 and
beset with strange heraldic devices in
bas 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 whis-
pered: "Ah, thought so. l have the
master key. Come, we will go in."
No sound broke the stiffness. There
was nothing to denote that human
habitation of any sort lay beyond the
blank wall.
Clarke lifted a heavy knocker in
the center of the door and began a
tattoo of alternating long and short
raps. These were answered from
within and my companion in his turn
answered these signals.
Then the door swung slowly open
and gigantic form appeared framed
in the dark background of the opening.
What is your age:" challenged a
deep voice.
was thunderstruck 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 fame" 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 diabolical 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, had
its 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 tone of authority.
"'Tis well. To the Temple of Ba-
homet." answered the sentry.
He turned and motioned us to fol-
low. We entered and heard the door
close behind us with a click leaving
us in utter, absolute darkness.
And then, seeming to come from the
roof over our heads, spoke a voice so
terrible in its menace, so steely cruel
in its tones that I felt my knees be-
gin to batter against each other. :
Let them that would look upon the
face of the Vice-Regent of the Evil
One enter through the eternal fame -
it said. IF they come on the business
Of the great Lucifer they pass un-
scathed. Otherwise they wither up
and die"
Our guide had disappeared as If
by magic. Motioning me to follow.
Clarke pressed forward. We neared
the fame and still there came no heat.
Then Clarke stepped into it and was
lost to sight while I stood alone in
that awful corridor. Summoning all
my courage too stepped into the
flame. Beyond tingling Of the
nerves and stinging of the skin
felt no sensation. ~, -. :.
/ found myself with Clarke In an i'm.
mense hall, the counterpart in devil.
tsh DECORATION Of the passageway we
had left. The walls, roof and floor
were Of stone and the whole scene
was so broken with recesses. grottpes
and innumerable stone images of sa.
tanic beings that: it was difficult to
Judge its size. ? Behind .sus the fame
alternately flashed and .fiickered. II
there was another entrance It. was "a
cupningly concealed as to escape our
notice. Before, US was q; massive :al.
tar, apparently hewn in the solid rock,
though upon .claseEy examination l
found II. a. we'll :as all. OF. tha. interior
decoration; to- DO of moulded con.
crete. :.
We were alone. At least we saw no