The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

44 A PERUVIAN PARADISE. ‘“That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said for many a long day, Mr. Keeth,’’ declared Fitch, and he and Ford went off together, arm and arm. Keeth went to his own apartment filled with conflicting emotions. They were to run a desperate chance indeed. If the cavern into which the waters of the brook flowed proved to be unavailable for purposes of escape, their treatment when they were recaptured would be far more severe than it had been. Even the old high priest, InzalkI, would be unable then to save them from the wrath of Gonnatzl and his friends. And then, it was impossible to tell what danger lurked in the bed of the subterranean river. “But it’s the only thing to do,’’ thought Keeth, pacing his room rest- lessly after breakfast. ‘‘I see no other way. ‘The cliffs are unscalable; the only entrance to the valley guarded. Our only hope is that river, and if Jose Rodriguez was the prisoner who left the valley by that means—well, what man has done, man can do. But if it were not he—if it were some other unfortunate fellow—! Well, a man can die but once, and we had better die trying to escape than become veritable slaves of these savages.”’ He was about to go out and seek his comrades in misfortune when there came a timid rap upon his door. He opened it and found Imozene standing at the portal. ‘‘ My lord, I must speak to thee !’’ she exclaimed. ‘“What is it, princess?’’ he asked, taking her hands tenderly and drawing her into the room. ‘‘ Why do you tremble so? What has hap- pened ?”’ : ‘My grandfather—the great Inzalkl——”’ ‘“What about him?’’ cried Keeth, half suspecting what her answer would be. | ‘He is stricken, my lord!’’ gasped the girl, beginning to sob. ‘‘ He is dying.’’ ‘“Not that! You are too easily alarmed, princess.’’ ‘‘He says himself he is dying,’’ said the girl solemnly, ‘‘ He knows, my lord. He calls for thee.”’ ‘*T will go to him at once.’’ Keeth stepped to the door, but looking back he saw the drooping, pitiful figure of the girl leaning against the rough stone wall. He hesitated a mo- ment and then went back to her side. ‘‘T am sorry for thee, Imozene,’’ he said gently. ‘‘I wish I might com- fort thee." ‘Thank you, my lord,’’ she returned gravely. ‘‘I sorrow for thy sake as well as my own. Gonnatzl feels harsh toward thee—beware of him. If the great Inzalkl die thou and thy friends will fare ill, But hasten—he calls for thee again.”’ s Keeth bowed and walked slowly from the room. He was sufficiently familiar with the temple now to find his way to the old priest’s apartment. There were several white robed attendants hovering about the old man’s couch. Immediately upon seeing the white man enter he motioned the others to leave him and the room was soon cleared. Tcomicbooks (S@)