Emmon struck one edge with the sledge-hammer, and it gave slightly.

In another minute the whole door, weighing over a ton, had been pushed
almost out of its opening. The jack overbalanced, toppled over; they did
not readjust it, but threw their combined weight upon the barrier.

There was no need to try again. With a shiver the huge slab of metal
slid, upright, into the space beyond, stood straight on end for a second
or so, then toppled to the floor.

AND THIS TIME THEY HEARD THE CRASH.

For, as the door fell, a great gust of wind rushed out with a hissing
shriek, almost overbalancing the men from the earth. They stood still
for a while, breathing hard from their exertion, trying in vain to peer
into the blackness before them. Under no circumstances would either of
them have admitted that he was gathering courage.

In a minute the architect, his eyes sparkling with his enthusiasm for
the antique, picked up the electric torch and turned it into the
compartment. As he did so the other two stepped to his side, so that the
three of them faced the unknown together. It was just as well. Outlined
in that circle of light, and not six feet in front of them, stood a
great chair upon a wide platform; and seated in it, erect and alert, his
wide open eyes staring straight into those of the three, was the
frightful mountainous form of Strokor, the giant, himself.

For an indeterminable length of time the men from the earth stood there,
speechless, unbreathing, staring at that awful monster as though at a
nightmare. He did not move; he was entirely at ease, and yet plainly on