shell-embroidered walls might whisper some answer to his thoughts.
The silence offered no suggestions. The plaintive figure of the
tortured Christ suspended on the cross maintained an immovable watch
over all things, and there was a subtle, faint odor floating about
as of crushed spices or herbs. While he still stood there absorbed
in perplexed conjectures, he became oppressed by want of air. The
red hue of the poppy-wreath mingled with the softer glow of the lamp
on the altar,--the moist glitter of the shells and polished pebbles,
seemed to dazzle and confuse his eyes. He felt dizzy and faint--and
hastily made his way out of that close death-chamber into the
passage, where he leaned for a few minutes against the great central
column to recover himself. A brisk breath of wind from the Fjord
came careering through the gallery, and blew coldly upon his
forehead. Refreshed by it, he rapidly overcame the sensation of
giddiness, and began to retrace his steps through the winding
arches, thinking with some satisfaction as he went, what a romantic
incident he would have to relate to Lorimer and his other friends,
when a sudden glare of light illumined the passage, and he was
brought to an abrupt standstill by the sound of a wild "Halloo!" The
light vanished; it reappeared. It vanished again, and again
appeared, flinging a strong flare upon the shell-worked walls as it
approached. Again the fierce "Halloo!" resounded through the hollow
cavities of the subterranean temple, and he remained motionless,
waiting for an explanation of this unlooked-for turn to the events
of the morning.

He had plenty of physical courage, and the idea of any addition to
his adventure rather pleased him than otherwise. Still, with all his
bravery, he recoiled a little when he first caught sight of the
extraordinary being that emerged from the darkness--a wild,