He was standing upon a pile of soft cushions. Above him he could see nothing but stone, just the same as the walls about. But leading out of this curious chamber was a narrow passageway. Barney started towards it, but at this moment his taper went out. The Celt muttered something not very polite and was about to light it again, when he heard a creaking sound above, and two dark forms came hurtling down through the gloom and struck the cushions near him. Barney’s eyes had become partly accustomed to the dim light, and a momentary flash of daylight as the stone above turned showed him the personnel of the intruders. At first he had instinctively fancied them his companions Frank and Pomp. But second thought taught him better judgment. Instinctively he shrunk back against the wall. The two new-comers with exclamations in a peculiar tongue quickly picked themselves up. Before Barney could fully recover from his amazement they had gone. ‪“Bejabers, I see it all now,” muttered the enlightened Irishman, “this is only a quare sort av a dure by which the omadhowns enther their undherground abode. Well, now, that’s quite clever, but howiver am I to git back agin with Misther Frank an’ ther naygur?” This was, indeed, a problem. Barney again lit his taper and looked in vain for some method by which he might climb out of the place. This was impossible. There seemed but one way, and this was to follow the passage which the new-comers had just taken. Barney made no doubt that they were of the strange people who had built the temple, but he was not by any means assured that they would be especially friendly to invaders like himself. “Bejabers, it’s well to first git acquainted with the nature av the baste,” he muttered, “an’ thin av it’s all right go ahead.” This was certainly sound logic, and it was well for Barney that he adopted it. The strange people would not have received him cordially, and indeed his precaution may be said to have been the saving of his life. But there seemed no other safe method of procedure but to attempt the passage. Accordingly Barney entered it. He kept on in the darkness cautiously for a short distance. Then he saw a ray of light ahead. Also from the distance there came the murmur of many voices. Barney kept on with increased caution now. Very soon he saw that the passage would bring him into a mighty illumined chamber under the temple. Oil lamps of various grotesque shapes furnished the means of light, and a dense throng of the most curious looking people he had ever seen were present. Barney gazed upon the scene with great interest. “Be me sowl, but ain’t they bits av men,” he muttered. ‪“No wan av thim is bigger nor a good sized Irish lad.” The pigmy women dressed much the same as the men, and seemed to busy themselves in various quarters at the culinary art. Some time Barney spent in watching the curious people. The next moment he received the greatest surprise of his life.