Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-19

bined weight SO depressed the limb that
the caves mouth was now too far above us
20 be reached. M
We finally agreed that Tars Tarkas
should return along the branch, leaving
his longest leather harnessstrap with me-
and that when the limb had risen to
height that would permit me to enter the
cave | was to do SO, and upon Tars Tarkas
return / could then lower the strap and
haul him up to the safety of the ledge
This we did without mishap and soon
found ourselves together upon the verge of
dizzy little balcony with magnificent
view Of the valley spreading out below us
So far as the eve could reach, gorgeous
Forest and crimson sward skirted silent
sea and about all lowered the brilliant mon
ster guardian cliffs Once we thought we
discerned a gllded minaret cleaning in the
sun amid the waving tops OF far-distant
trees, but we soon abandoned the idea In
the belief that II was but an hallucination
born of our great desire to discover the
haunts of civilized men In this beautiful yet
forbiddug spot.
Below us upon the rivers bank the great
white apes were devouring the last rem.
nants of Tars Tarkas' former companions,
while great herds OF plant men grazed in
overwhelming circles about the sward,
which they kept as close clipped as the
smoothest OF lawns
Knowing that attack from the tree was
now improbable, we determined to explore
the cave. which we had every reason TO
believe was but a continuation of the path
we had already traversed leading the gods
knew where but clearly away from this
valley of feroclty.
As we advanced we found well-propor-
toned tunnel cut from the solid cliff Its
walls rose some 20 feet above the floor,
which was about five feet In width The
roof was arched.
We had no means of making light, and
so groped our way slowly into the ever
qf do Eappfpp
In touch with one wall while felt along
the other. To prevent our wandering into
dlvergng branches and becoming separated
or lost In some intricate and labyrnthic
maze we clasped hands
How far we traversed the tunnel In this
manner | do not know, but presently we
came to an obstruction which blocked our
further progress.
1t seemed more like a partition than n
sudden ending of the cave, for 1t was con-
structed not of the material of the cliff,
but of something which felt like very hard
wood
Silently I groped over its surface with
my hands. and presently was rewarded by
,the feel of the button. which as commonly
denotes n door on Mars as does door
knob on Earth.
Gently pressing It, I had the satisfaction
of feeling the door slowly give before me,
and In another instant we were looking into
dlmly lighted apartment which, 80 far
as we could see, was unoccuped.
without more ado / swung the door wide
open and, followed by the huge Thark.
stepped into the chamber.
As we stood for n moment In silence gaz-
Ing about the room a slight noise behind
caused me to turn quickly,
To my astonIshment I saw the door close
with sharp click as though moved by an
unseen hand.
Instantly 1 sprang toward It to wrench
it open again. for something in the uncanny
movement of the thing and the almost pal
pable silence of the chamber seemed to
portend an evil hidden in this rock.bound
chamber.
My fingers clawed futilely at the unyield-
ing portal. while my eyes sought In vain
for duplicate of the button which had
given us ingress.
And then from unseen lips cruel and
mocking peal of laughter rang through the
desolate place
CONTINUED TOMORROW