Page:Amazing Stories Volume 21 Number 06.djvu/149

Rh South America, too, has its underground passages, linked with the long-lost and archaic Golden City of Manoa and the disappearance of the explorer Col. Percy Fawcett. In the Ozark Mountains of our country there is the story of the "devil pit" concealed by rugged cliffs, while off the coast of India, covered by the sea so long ago that not even the incredibly aged records of that hoary country contain reference to them, are cities that apparently have been visited in modern times by mysterious constructions unknown to earth.

Behind these reports are implications and correlations of data that point to startling suggestions. There are spots on and under this planet that present profound enigmas—the gravity-defying vortexes in Oregon and California, for example, that may well be caused by buried machinery of ancient or extra-terrestrial origin—and the writer feels certain that we are on the verge of making some remarkable discoveries. Extensive correspondence with well-known authorities and explorers in America and England in recent months has produced a wealth of astonishing information that would fill a book. As my time permits, the material that can safely be made public will be released.

N A remote region of northern Tibet, Theodore Illion, playwright and world-traveler, found a mysterious shaft and an underground city devoted to evil. He tells the story in his book, Darkness Over Tibet (Rider and Co., London), which contains a detailed account of his observations and his almost-miraculous escape.

"The existence of an underground city in Tibet," he writes, "is occasionally hinted at by well-informed people in the forbidden country, although the stories are often extravagant and turn the city, which I succeeded in entering, into a 'Mighty Underground Empire inhabited by millions of people.' Tibet becomes somewhat more accessible as the years roll by, and I am confident that eventually other explorers will confirm my description of … (this) city."

After receiving a letter of introduction and directions from a native Tibetan occultist, Illion found the city near the Sangpo Valley, twenty miles from the nearest village. It is known as the "City of the Initiates," and consists of seven underground buildings that drop at least fourteen stories below the surface, the tops of these subsurface constructions being level with the ground. They are built around a shaft, the top of which is surrounded by a wall four feet high and ten yards in diameter.

The top of each building consists of a large glass skylight that is level with the surface and can be quickly covered. In front of each is a narrow staircase going down to a heavy door. The buildings are connected by tunnels, are easily kept warm, and practically earthquake-proof. Several hundred inhabitants are under the rule of a Prince Mani Rimpotche, a tall aged Tibetan with a white beard who speaks six languages, including English, and is remarkably well-informed about world affairs.

Illion learned that only one other westerner had ever visited the city, and he had lived and died there under a Tibetan name. Life in the city resembles that of an ant-hill under the absolute control of its ruler. No one is permitted to leave the city without permission, and every action of its dwellers is rigidly regulated.

The shaft itself appeared incredibly aged and very deep. Stones weighing up to twenty pounds were thrown in, but no sound reached Illion's ears. His inquiries revealed that only a few of the highest initiates knew what was at the bottom, and any other person who found out would die—"there are such secrets"—with death automatically following the discovery.

This city is apparently the headquarters of a widespread secret organization with agents scattered throughout the Orient—perhaps even in the west, according to additional information reaching the writer recently. Illion's discovery of the concealed evil nature of this city which poses as good, his refusal to become an agent, his escape and the uncanny nature of his pursuit are details that will be found in his book.

It is hoped that additional observations may be made by travelers in future years. The fact that possession of this mysterious shaft is in evil hands is very suggestive, and it is one of the reasons why I feel that stories and doctrines coming out of Tibet and apparently devoted to mankind's best interests must be carefully considered before they are blindly accepted as truth.

EVERAL months ago I wrote an article on the famous so-called "money pit" on Oak Island in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. It has been generally believed that this amazing shaft and underground chamber is the work of pirates, and that it contains a treasure of fabulous value. The story of how this shaft was accidentally discovered in 1795 by three young men, and the long tale of repeated attempts by salvage companies to solve the problem of the sea-water tunnel system that protects the chamber will be found in my original article.

Briefly, here are the facts: At some remote period a small army of workmen and a number of vessels arrived at this small island in the bay. No one knows who they were, where they came from, how long ago they arrived, or what they placed in the shaft. They sunk a shaft thirteen feet in diameter and at a depth of 150 feet built a large chamber of cement, iron and oak beams, at least forty feet in height, on a seven-inch concrete floor.

Something was placed in the chamber, which was then sealed. In the meantime other workmen were constructing a series of twisting tunnels to the shaft from the sea. At least two tunnels are definitely known to exist; there are likely others. One of the tunnels was run to an inlet where a