The Rajah's Fortress — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

260 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. With the butt of their rifles they aimed a shower of blows against the solid iron until it bent and trembled. Fiercer and fiercer, harder and harder, until, unable to withstand the merciless attack, with shivered hinges and cracked bolts, the door burst inward and fell with a crash to the floor. Like a whirlwind they swept through, Guy in advance with cocked revolver and a waving torch. The room was empty. The light shone on bare walls, a cold stone floor. “ There lies a doorway on the left,” cried Guy, excitedly. They rushed forward, threw themselves against it, and, to their surprise, it yielded readily. They halted on the threshold in amazement. Before them was aspacious apartment. Rich car- pets and rugs covered the floor, gorgeous curtains hung from the walls, cushioned chairs and soft couches were scattered about,a low bed rested in one corner, and on an ebony table stood a silver lamp, burning dimly. «We've reached the serpent’s lair,” cried Guy, fiercely. ‘* Search the room.” They rushed in madly. They plunged their naked sabers into the curtains in every corner and recess. They beat the walls with their rifles and dragged the bed and the couches out on the floor. The room was empty. “ He’s escaped us. The slippery rascal,” cried Guy angrily — COLUM 1OOO SS co