The Rajah's Fortress — page 229: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

216 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. of stone close to the ground, fitted with a heavy iron handle that was red and corroded with rust. The lantern shook in Topee’s hand, and Guy himself was feeling very nervous. It was a terribly risky thing to open that slab and perhaps find one- self confronted by a dozen armed dacoits. It had to be done, however, and without delay. No sounds could be heard within, but then the thickness of the walls would completely shut out even the braying of a brass band. “ Blow out the lantern,” said Guy firmly, and in an instant they. were in total darkness. Together they grasped the iron handle. It shook loosely in its socket. Very slowly they pressed in- ward. Inch by inch it yielded, and every inch struck fresh terror to their hearts. Guy passed his hand along the side of the cavity. The massive block was fairly inside the apartment beyond, and yet not a gleam of light from within. Was the fortress deserted ? The walls were notso thick, after all, barely a foot. ‘Now pushee other way,” said Topee in a low whisper that magnified itself a thousand times to their heated imaginations. Squeezing together into the aperture they exerted all their strength, Topee at the end of the block, Guy at the iron handle, and with a harsh grating rattle it moved slowly along the inner wall. The noise struck terror to their souls. They backed in frantic haste into the passage and with COLUM 1OOO SS co