The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-09-05
Copyright. 9I7. by

Cf7AF E1 \IIIs
 En Which We Enter the Place of Horror ~\HE statues or images rose from
 kind of terrace a foot or so
 above the level of the platform,
 paved as before. They formed sort of cloister, or co4onnade, around the central platform, which rose tWen- ty or twenty-five feet above. On the center of the raised platform or altar stood three or more of the same mon ster heads, placed one after another, the largest one being in the middle. They were in line, all looking in the same direction which my compass told me was due west. They were staring. therefore, toward the setting sun
 At the front end or west end the great platform was approached by flight of steps. The stones of the pave ment were so cunningly fitted together that only here and there had a seed lodged and grass grown. The stones of the platform or altar were also laid up without mortar and fitted in the same way. The altar was in perfect repair.
 Standing so high, the fierce winds that swept over the plateau and plat form had probably assisted in keeping 1t clear of vegetation, of anything in fact, for save for few scattered lines of grass it was as bare as the palm of my hand
 Well, we stood upon the platform and surveyed the scene in silent i've. Nothing in the parchment had led us to suspect all this, although I recollect the stone "Goddes'' looking toward the niche with the big palm tree, the spot In the wall by which we were to To- cate the treasure cave.
 ''ComeP' said I at last, breaking the silence, 'EWe will have a nearer look at these gentry
 "It seems like the temple of a van ished race,'' breathed my lady softly, staring about her in growing wonder.
 "Aye, and of a vanished God!" I said, extending my hand
 There was something weird and eerie about the plateau, and we felt better for the touch of each others hand, at least I did. I always felt happier when touched her little haNd, but in this instance the feeling was some what different. In a certain sense it seemed like proclamation for us to be there, yet we went on steadily, if slow ly. We passed by the colonnade of statues around the inner platform and deliberately mounted the stairs Something, I know not what, made me bid my mistress pause before we reached the top, and looked to my pistol and Ioosened my sword in it's l sheath as I did so, although why I did so and what anticipated cannot say. At any rate, I mounted to the top alone. There before me lay a platform | which was sunk beneath me for 1 depth of two feet and which was sur rounded by a low wall, on the top of 1 which I stood The three images rose from a smaller platform on a level with the top of this wall in the midst, and the whole place was filled with horrible and frightfuI mass of human bones. Skulls, legs, thighs and small CT bones, heaped in terrible confusion, lay bleaching before me, and the space between them was filled with a fine dust, doubtless the dust of earlier bones which had mouldered away through centuries. Those that still preserved their shape were the top layer and were bleached perfectly white. They lay in all directions, as if they had been cast aside carelessly and at random, yet there were indica- lions that there had been a path from where I stood to the platform of the three images, which I perceived was just about long enough to lay a human body on.
 I stared apprehensively, I must con- fess, at this frightfu1 channel house of the centuries. The only evidences of humanity we had discovered were these frightfuI skeletons. I would have prevented it, but my mistress suddenly came and stood by my side Then thought she would have faint ed as the full horror of the scene burst upon her.
 ''Men have been here,'' she faltered "HorribIe, cruel men,
 ''Yes,'' said I, "but centuries ago Look, the bones are bleached white You have naught to fear.''
 ''Let us leave this frtghtfuI place." she said
 Presently I answered, s'but you will remember the directions of the chart. I must stand upon that altar and get my bearings. The treasure cave should be in line with the statues and nick or depression in the wall on the farther side"
 'Yes,'' she replied, q remember"
 Well, then" I said, twill you go down to the platform out of sight of this horrible place and wait for me?'' NNo," she answered nervousIy. 9@aSSs< zt.haasssaseS Eess Na