Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-04-08


AN automatic revolver would be n
handy companion" suggested Forbes
I'll lend you one of mine" said
Newell. Then. rising and tossing aside
his cigar. be added: I'VE better be off
TO bed early, for we will have busy
day tomorrow. and 1t may end in a
long rest for both of us. You under.
stand that. Rexy
Il know it nodded Forbes grfNly
But Pm thinking of that poor fellow
Enderby, and I'll risk It."
The two Americans had chosen broad
daylight and plenty of sunshine for
their entry into the Street of Tombs.
= The end of the street where 1t de-
bouehed upon a wider thoroughfare
was a place of busy little shops. but
after they bad made the first turn in
Its tortuous windings the street bore
strangely deserted appearance.
Colored signs futtered above their
heads, above the signs were closely
shattered balconies. and still farther
up. above the fantastic roof lines. was
slit OF blue sky
Tom Newell kept his eyes to the
right and Rex Forbes watched out on
the left hand side of the narrow street
as they went slowly along
Suddenly Forbes stopped before a
shop window.
''Jove, Tom, what do yon think of
that?" be muttered excitedly.
Newell paused beside him and stared
at the enormous polished globe of pure
rock crystal that revolved dizzily on
an ebony pedestal.
Already Red Forbes had been caught
by the deadly fascination OF that whirl-
ing bali He was hypnotized into ri
gidity as he stood there.
Z Fortunately for both OF them. Tom
Newell was possessed OF extraordinary
will power. and as soon ms he realized
what was happening there before his
eyes he removed his gaze from the
ball. and as he did so there seemed to
be revealed to him In one enllghteuing
fash the mystery of the Street OF
Tombs
Unwary foreigners. attracted by the
wonderful sight OF the large rock crys-
tnl ball. had gazed upon 1t to become
hypDotized and thus rendered them.
selves easy victims to robbery and
! murder. The Shiny creeks that bound
ed the walls OF the old city and the
rushing river into which they flowed
would hide the evidences of crime.
Suddenly whisper foated down to
them from the closed balcony above.
Beware. Newell. Beat 1t. Beat 1t.
manr And with the warning words
there sounded a cry as II the speaker
had been attacked; then shutters broke
open. the fraiI balcony tottered under
the weight of a mans heavy body, the
carved railing snapped and precipi.
tated man CARRIED in Chinese clothing
into Newell's outstretched arms.
Tom Newell was a giant In stature
and strength. One glance in the mans
face convinced him that 1t was the
missing Enderby. his once rnddy face
ravaged by pain and privation. Then
he held Enderby close to his breast.
and, dragging at Forbes hand. he cried
tiercely:
Come. Rex. come. Come with me
for your life. The Street Of Tombs
is opening her arms TO your
Forbes, partly reused from his
apathy, ran on obediently. and after
he felt the fresh air in his face he re-
covered some of his wits. Many door
ways behind them belcbed forth wild
eyed natives. who followed them as
far as they dared, for the Street of
Tombs bears an evil reputation in its
own city and has no wish TO air Its
secrets.
A few scattering shots followed
them. but their chain armor was proof
against bullets. and soon they came
out into the broad street, where
great crowd silently watched them, as
II they were witnessing resurrection.
from the dead.
Said a pedeller OF sweetmeats to his
neIghbor:
Behold. they entered the Street OF
Tombs and came forth alive. They
bear charmed lives, these foreign dev-
lis"
Some of,them do" said his neighbor
dryly for NJ knew that the Street OF
Tombs rarely gave up Its victims.
When they reached the model settle
ment With the wounded Enderby. New
ell and Forbes listened To a strange
story-how Enderby. attracted by the
revolving crystal became hypnotized
and was easily captured and set to
work in an evil smelling underground
room with countless other slaves like
himself II was an opium den. and In
connection with it was silk weaving
factory. and 1t was here that Enderoy
had labored. trying in vain to escape
from his slavery. In time he had
proved so faithful that he had been
intrusted In the stock room above the
shop over the crystal ball. and 1t was
from this vantage point that he had
.~.~lt