The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-11-04
copy,oht 1891. IN The Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

was slender rope-ladder.
Twenty five feet above the
ground the little figure seemed to
touch the top Of the tower before
Smith commenced walking back
ward again while pole and chokra
descended the ropeladder
hung down the gray wall. NO
sooner was the urchin upon the
ground than he was off into some
bushes while the native boy ran
forward and vanished with the
pole. Not a second had been lost
and not a hitch had occurred.
Smith was the first to ascend
the ladder. and the consul, upon
following. found him seated upon
the outer wall which circlcd the
top. In the intense starlight, fast
being augmented by rising moon.
the plan Of the towers top could
be plainly seen.
The open top resembled cir
cular gridiron gently depressed to-
ward the center in which was Il
we'll or shaft about five feet in
diameter Besides circular wall
which enclosed this we'll there
were two other circular walls be-
tween it and the outside where
the two men sat. Footpaths ran
upon the circular walls and the
spaces between wer" divided into
compartments by other walls radi-
ating from I'm imaginary center.
I'm these compartments. said
Smith, speaking low. the Car
riers of the Dead place the bodies.
The corpse is stripped Of all cloth
ing and deposited here for the vul-
lures to cat. In half an hour
nothing but a skeleton remains.
| The Carriers OF the Dead then re-
turn and remove the bones with
tongs, dropping them down the
we'll where they crumble away
rich and poor alike as Zartash said
must be"
Are there any. or. bodies or
skeletons here now" asked the
consul.
81 hope not. but we will see,
answered Smith. In this outside
row Of compartments are placed
the bodies of all males Of adult
=, age. Circle the wall TO the right
while | go to the left. Examine
each compartment and remember
that the vultures would transform
a clothed body into a bundle OF
rags with here and there bone
prOtruding
Slowly the two figures circled
the outer wall pecring down into
the compartments. They met OF
the side Of the tower opposite tc
the rope-ladder.
Nothing" said the consul.
Let us circle on an inner wall,
said Smith. and examine the
middle compartments where the
women'S bodies are placed.
Once more the two turned apart
and circled back toward the lad
der. In the distance the monoton'
GUS beating Of d native drum
broke forth accompanying weird
chant which was repeated over and
over again in a wailing voice.
The time and the place were
best suited TO theI strongest nerves
and the consul. bending low Il
examine a compartment, lifted his
head suddenly. as the tom-tom
broke out into r. louder swell, and
he took false step. The next
moment he tripped over something
and fell. with soft thud, into one
| OF the compartments. At thas
very instant Smith had halted TO
watch the hook Of the ladder
which was sagging under some
weight.
The consul was not hurt by his
! fall but. before he could climb out,
Smith was by his side with hand
| outstretched.
"Hurt?" he asked. and. when
Turner replied in the negative:
Good. We must be quick now.
/ I think YOU have stumbled over
the key to the mystery. You fell
over the ladder which reaches
down to the bones in the we'll.
Somebody took It out Of the well
for no good purpose.
As he finished speaking. Smith
lifted the ladder and carried 1t in
ward toward the central shaft.
THE inside compartments he
called softly over his shoulder.
ARE for the bodies OF children.
Run around and look 1T them
while | place the ladder"
Turner quickly circled the In
side wall and reached Smith again
as he was lowering the ladder
down the black hole. He lowered
il very gently at the end and
turned 10 the consul.
Il must ask you TO so down.
he said. Il have no time to en-
plain. but you will find bones
dry boneS-and, perhaps, Senator
Mathewson.'
! Scarcely had Turner's head dis
appeared whom Smith bounded
hack over the connecting walls TO
the ladder. his rubbor-soled shoes
mailing no sound. Gently he felt
the overhanging rope. There wG's
no weight upon ii. He turned to
retracc his steps when a dark fig
ure with a white shirt-front rose
from compartment almost be-
side him.
Found anything. Mr.. Detec-
tive" came the sarcastic voice OF
Jennings.
So" Smiths voice showed no
excitement-"I thought I told you
to stay by the cypress tree.
You may think as you like and
| will do as I like" was the surly
reply.