Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-08
CHAPTER XII.


In Which We Enter the Place of Horror
"HE statues or images rose from
q kind Of terrace a foot or SO
above the level of the platform,
paved as before. They formed
a sort OF cloister, or colonnade, around
the central platform, which rose twen-
~ 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 AID 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 20 high, the fierce winds
that swept over the plateau ard plat
form had probably assisted IN. keeping
At clear. OF vegetation. OF anything IN
fact, for save for a 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 awe
Nothing in the. parchment had led US
TO suspect all this, although recollect
the stone Goodies" looking toward the
niche with the big palm tree. the spot
IN the wall by which we were to To-
cate the treasure cave
Gomez said / Mt last, breaking the
silence. I'VE will have a nearer look
at these gentry"
at seems like the temple OF a van.
ished race" breathed my lady softly,
stirring about her in growing wondsr.
AYE, and OF n vanished Godp ]
said. extending my hand.
There was something weird and eeris
about the plateau, and we felt better
for the touch OF each others hand. at
least / did. always felt happier
when L touched her little hand, but In
this instance the feeling was some
what different. In a certain sense 1t
seemed like PROCLAMATION for us to be
there, yet we went on steadily. II slow.
ly. We passed by the colonnade OF
statues around the inner platform and
deliberately mounted the stairs.
Something. l know not what, made
me bid my mistress pause before we
reached the top. and / looked to my
pistol and loosened my sword in its
sheath ash did so, although why did
DO and what anticipated cannot say.
At any rate, mounted TO the top
alone. There before me lay a platform
which was sunk beneath me for a
depth OF two feet and which was sur
rounded by a low wall. on the top Of
which 1. 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 filed with q
horrible and frightful mass Of human
bones. Skulls, legs, thighs and small
pr bones. heaped In terrible confusion,
lay bleaching before me. and the space
between them was oiled with a 1ne
aust, 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
II they had been cast aside carelessly
and at random. yet there were indica
lions that there had been n path from
where stood to the platform OF the
three images. which ! perceived was
lust about long enough 20 lay q human
body on.
stared apprehensively. i must con
Tess, ut this frightful charnel house Of
The centuries The only evidences o.
humanity we had discovered wer'
these frightful skeletons. ] would
have prevented Il, but my mispes,
suddenly came and stood by my side
Then / thought she would have faint
I'd as the full horror OF the scene burs
upon her.
"Men have been here" she faltered
Horrible, cruel men"
YES" said !. but centuries ago
Look, the bones are bleached white
Sou have naught 90 fear"
"Let US leave this frightful place
Dhe said.
Presently" answered. but yo'
will remember the directions OF tn,
chart l must stand upon that alta
and get my bearings. The treasur
rave should be IN line with the statue
and a nick or depression in the wall Of
the farther side"
Eyes" she replied. Il remember"
"Well. then" ! said. will you g
town TO the platform out OF sight o
this horrible place and wait for meT'
NO" she answered nerYously
Master Hampton. wherever you so
must 90. ] can never be left alone"
I tried gently TO dissuade her. but
Is usual. she would have her way. .
that at last gave in.
We'll. then" said I. cat least let N
30 before
I stepped down into the great n
eeptacle intending to clear the E=