The Rajah's Fortress — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. 261 “ But where did he go?” said Loyd. ‘* There is no way to get out.”’ He took his rifle and made another circuit of the room, tapping the walls impatiently. The stones echoed dully at each blow, and then in sharp con- trast came a clear, metallic ring. Guy sprang forward eagerly. He clutched the silken curtains and tore them down from their fas- tenings, revealing in the walla small door of polish- ed brass. With a shout of triumph he threw himself against it, and, to the surprise of all, it yielded as readily as the other one. “ A torch, quick!” he cried, halting on the threshold, for the interior was dark. He snatched it impatiently from Topee’s hand and rushed in, followed closely by the rest. If the other apartment had been a revelation, this was ten times more so. The room was not large, but in its appointments and furnishings it would well have passed for a gentleman’s library in a London mansion instead of the interior of a barbaric stronghold in Western Burma. The floor was spread with soft rugs and Persian carpets. The hanging curtains thatenveloped the walls were of unusual splendor and richness. A couch stood in one corner ; near it was a high case through whose curtains actually peeped the leather bindings of rows of books. In the center of the room was a great mahogany table fitted with COLUM 1OOO SS co