A long, narrow passage dark as Erebus was disclosed. The mystery was solved at last. This no doubt led to underground chambers where the pigmies spent their days. And now Frank believed that he had solved the mystery of Barney’s fate. The Celt had no doubt fallen through one of the mysterious entrances into the underground abode of the pigmies. The marble dais in the temple was then, after all, but a curious sort of entrance to the underground retreat. By leaping upon it, one was quickly carried down to the depths below. It had required something more than ordinary ingenuity to invent this clever door of stone so nicely balanced. Certainly these remnants of a lost and almost extinct race were certainly far from being fools. They were beyond doubt most clever and skillful mechanics, masons and artisans. Frank was tempted to invade the underground retreat of the pigmies, but sober second thought forbade. Again at this moment a warning cry came from Pomp, who was aboard the Steam Man. “Come, quick, Marse Frank, fo’ yo’ life!” shouted Pomp. Frank lost no time in complying. And, as he leaped over the wall, he saw the cause of Pomp’s alarm. The court-yard was suddenly filling with a seeming legion of the pigmies. They were all armed as well, and were inclined to a warlike attitude. Three tigers were now held in leash. Frank saw the first little man in the front rank. He seemed to be the leader of the band. Fully three hundred of the pigmies had suddenly appeared. It was a most astonishing complication to Frank Reade, Jr. The pigmies were all armed with long lances and bore down toward the Steam Man. Frank pulled the whistle valve and let out an ear-splitting shriek. For a moment the pigmies appeared to be literally paralyzed. They were thrown into the wildest confusion. Terror seemed to be predominant, until the little old man ran in front of them and exhorted them. His words seemed to act like magic upon them. They re-formed and once more the outlook became serious. With bristling lances they once more advanced toward the Steam Man. There was no evading the issue now. Frank saw this at a glance. He was averse to killing any of the strange people unless compelled to. Discretion seemed the better part of valor, and it appeared in order to retreat in as graceful a manner as possible. Accordingly he started the Steam Man across the court-yard. With clanking tread the Man crossed the space. This brought him out upon the roadway. The pigmies pursued hurling their lances at the cage. But the steel netting was proof against them, and they fell off harmlessly. However, Frank saw that they were planning to annihilate the Steam Man with a huge log thrown across the roadway by a party who had headed the Man off. The tree would prevent the Man’s progress in that direction, and Frank set his lips grimly. ‪“They are after our lives, Pomp. I hate to fire into them, but it is self-defense.”