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 investiga-