The Washington times., 1916-05-14

to his cross-legged pose and the room
revcrberated with the unavailing alarms
Of the excited Hindoo without!
Within another secret room OF the the
members. lying at ease on black-covered
touches, were brought TO their feet by
the cries OF fellow OF the clan outside
q grated door.
Quick. brethren! We are attacked"
As they rushed to admit him. the mas
ter OF ceremonies appeared from an
other inner doorway, his hand COM
mandingly raised.
Fear not. brethren. The master bids
w wei " '' -" All w" '
AS he spoke there were grunts OF
wicked anticipation: well did they know
the fate which yawned for an intruder.
gowns. and following the leader
marched Indian-file through the pas
sageway. Hail. hiding In one of the re-
cesses OF the way. waited until the last
man had passed him and then quietly
Joined them without attracting atten-
ton. The Hindoo had replaced his
weapon and hoped to regain the vantage
which his curiosity had forfeited.
Within the Stygian maze OF passages
Alden had found himself completely be-
wildered. Hail had not learned all: the
deceivtng black curtains which hung on
all sides had cunningly led to series
of underground rooms. each like it's
neighbor. until he finally paused in
despair.
He drew the nashlight again. and its
rays disclosed the first object which he
had seen in several minutes OF walking.
1t was the carven figure OF satar
protruding from the wall like gar
goyle OF Notre Dame.
wen, there's a familiar face" NUT
tered the physician. He drew his re-
volver, and advanced toward the image
| standing before It absorbed in the weirc
n l0N HsK ~ AA M
1 AS he did so he heard demoniaS
laugh behind him; he whirled about, bu
| saw no one. The remainder OF the room
| disclosed to the searching SHAFT OF hi
lamp nothing but the interminable blacl
Then came his next surprise!
| A soft glow of blood-red light begar
to spring up around the room, from
hitherto invisible discs on walls. OF
floor, on the ceiling!
He looked about in natural alarm. a.
the light Increased in brilliancy unit
II was painfully dazzling.
| The, as he looked down at his feet
| he became aware that a circular ri
standing on small round platform
| Below he could see nothing except tn
piercing, biting efruIgence of crimson
light. which seemed to burn with II
tremendous. sharpness.
The physician, scientist that he was
had seen no illumination of this natur
before. and he could not fathom tn
| mystery OF II.
There was a curious vibration In tn
air; II seemed as though the ether wer
throbbing with some strange. terribl
| force of nature
\ Alden looked about him. squaring hi
shoulders CALAMITY, TO await the worst
The floor steadily sank, as though int
the liquid depths of red, volcanic lava
He was tempted 10 Jllmp-and yet
was impossible to reach the sides O
the opening, with such a slender pur
chase for his feet. He seemed on soil
support. despite the tiny radius. an
so he waited.
Well. where are your Who ar
your
He spoke to empty walls. at first
yet, again and again came the cackle G
unholy mirth-again behind him, an
this time over his head.
well. at least he's the most ingeniou
tiend In the world" was the physician
! grudging mental compliment to the uu
, known.
Are you afraid, black master OF III
devil worshipers?" cried the physician
detiantly.
mo. Are your" came the apt rcpi,
as the voice OF the guiding spirit OF III
! evil brotherhood came from the Yer
bowels OF tho earth before him.
Alden realized the hopelessness OF hi
} position, for the time being. In a snir
OF bravado he damned tho revolver int
+ his pocket through the slit In I'll
black gown. Then he turned to spee
, TO the unseen observer.
v "All this Illumination In very prett'
but I am not afraid. came here