Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-28
THE GHDED MAN
By CLIFFORD SMYTH
'hoto by j. Mitchell Elliot

they carried, their outlandlsh dress, the whole
eject of them, in a way, was distinctly nm
earthly, supernatural--and Mrs. Quayle drew
II line at the supernatural. SO she ended
Ny oeing simply amazed beyond measure
anu her companions shared her feelings in
iessening degree. Miranda and Herran. dunn
iouhoed by the apparition, forgot to handle
tneir revolvers in the warlike fashion thew
had intended with the first approach of a foe
H"'ie" eaped IN an open-mouthed sort of
dream, during which his pocket-knife came
imIhIhehtIy near doing fatal execution upon
uihiseh' Whiie Una and leighton, forgetting
their anxiety, were lost in admiration of the
delicious music and of the spectacle be fore
them. ~
One and all of this singular band Of cave-
men were clothed after the fashion described
ny Andrew. Each wore a loose white mantle
or toga' that draped the figure in yoluminous
ioids' adding to the grace and freedom, of
movement with which they kept time to the
music Their feet were shod with sandals
their heads encircled with bands OF white
cloth' from the flying ends OF which hung
ornaments OF gold and emerald. The musical
instruments upon which thew MIA we'd we're
iohg' slender tubes, curving upward at the
extremity, of a metal that glittered and
sparkled like the purest gold.
MOST singular of all was the light that
each or these musicians carried. This light
ea.ne from neither torch nor lantern, but
Hpdlh anu ndSneS from oval
olshs worn, Jewelwise. on the breast. By
what fuel these incandescent fires we're fed
was not apparent. They burned with a
ciedr white brilliance, illuminating each flow
ing ngure with startling vividness, and filling
me peholder, ignorant of their nature. with
wonder at their admirable adaptability 10 the
needs Of a subterranean world.
To Leighton these strange Iipb,o ,rOro
much more mystifying than all the rest of
me appafltion-for as yet il was difficult IN
regard the approaching throng as being anv.
tnlhs more real than an apparition that
II expects TO have vanish away almost as
soon as II makes its appearance IN, th.sa
musicians, weird and uneartblv tbouyh ~,
nrst seemed when seen at a distance 40
Ihey orew nearer proved to be substantial
mesn-and-blood human beings right enough
ineir aark skins and aquiline features gave
TTnauence, Tor one thing. that they were of
ihdiah origin and not inhabitants of the ra-
mote invisible fairyland that thew ,nnea rcd
10 me ierVid imaginations of some of Leiyb-
'ohs companions. Doubtless. argued fhs
saNan'' tney were a band of reyelers-or
&c S-Irom the city to whom the secrets
" the cave were familiar. But where ,bey
nao picked up such extraordinarv means o.,
IL Illumination of their merrv-makinp ,yas
more IMAM he could fathom. Lights? They
were unlike any lights he had ever heard Of
Al una ne could make of 1t was that these
Illuminated disks belonged to the marvaIs -,
WIN vi kCltUCt. rNAla
among which he counted the Black Magnet
disappearing wall ar tba
entrance to the cave. 'e
AS these people showed no sign of hostility
the explorers began to hope that ,hrougb
them they would win their way ont of ,be
cave. Certainly. they were worth cuItiya,tna
with this end In view. Hence. Miranda and
Herran looked stealthily at their reyolvers
ana restored them as quickly as possible 10
tnelr hlp-pockets, while such a burst Of con.
noence seized Mrs. Quayle that she prepa red
ana was actually seen to exhibit one OF her
most ingratiating smiles for the benefit of the
approaching Indians, at the same time OK.
pressing in a loud voice to Una her approval
Of their music.
rms pleasant feeling, however, that they
were ABOUT TO regain their liberty did not last
long The Indians. although showing no un-
friendilness, gave unmistaksble evidence thar
they meant to control the movements of the
explorers. still playing on their trumpets
and beating solemnly on their drums. thew
marched around them, bowling courteousIy
enough. but intimating at the same time that
they were acting upon a definite plan that
could not be interfered with. Somewha,
dashed by this singular behavior which was
the more difficult to meet just because Il
lacked outward menace, the explorers con-
ferred hastily together. hoping to hit on a
safe line OF action. The men of the party.
suspicious OF the friendly attitude assumed
by the Indians, favored immediate resistance.
Their frst flush OF confidence in them was
gone. Herran and Miranda, especially. were
doubtful of the intentions OF these strange
people. From whatever motive, It seemed to
them that the latter had deliberately planned
their capture. evidently carrying out in this
the orders Of some one In authority over
them. That these orders might come from
Raoul Arthur was their principal cause for