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169 Strange Incense Burns

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tigated until he had made the entire circle of the landing, but in so far as La or any clew to her were concerned his search was fruitless. H e found quaint furniture and rugs and tapestries, and orna­ ments o f gold and diamonds, and in one dimly lighted chamber he came upon a sleeping Bolgani, but so silent were the movements of the ape-man that the sleeper slept on undisturbed, even though Tarzan passed entirely around his bed, which was set in the center of the chamber, and investigated a curtained alcove beyond.

Having completed the rounds o f this floor, T a r­ zan determined to work upward first and then, returning, investigate the lower stages later. Pur­ suant to this plan, therefore, he ascended the strange stairway. T hree landings he passed b& fore he reached the upper floor of the tower. Cir­ cling each floor was a ring o f doors, all o f which were closed, while dimly lighting each landing were feebly burning cressets—shallow, golden bowls—containing what appeared to be tallow, in which floated a tow-like wick.

U pon the upper landing there were but three doors, all o f which were closed. T h e ceiling o f this hallway was the dome-like r o o f of the tower, in the center o f which was another circular open­ ing, through which the stairway protruded into the darkness of the night above.

As Tarzan opened the door nearest him it creaked upon its hinges, giving forth the first au­ dible sound that had resulted from his