“Begorra, that’s thrue,” sang Barney. “Be it iver so humble there’s no place loike home, aven av it’s in a pig pen.” ‪“Good!” cried Frank. ‪“Well, we will soon give you a chance to see home, boys, if we can find the Steam Man intact.” ‪“Which Heaven grant we may,” said Tony, fervently. “Then you’re really ready to go home, Tony?” “Oh, yes. I am anxious to; the way of it is, I have sickened of roaming in this accursed clime. Father says he will take me into Wall street with him, and I’m going to accept his offer.” ‪“Good for you, Tony!” cried Frank. ‪“It is a good time for you to settle down.” ‪“I shall do it.” They were now once more pushing their way along the avenue. The Steam Man did not seem to be anywhere in sight. What was the fate of the invention they could only guess. They pushed on rapidly. Suddenly they came out into what seemed like the plaza, or public square of the city. Here wonderful sights were presented. Mammoth ruins surrounded the square on all sides. These were overgrown with vegetation of all kinds. Clinging vines adorned the walls, and huge trees of the deciduous species grew out of the roof and piles of moldering stone. Everywhere all was desolation and decay. But one building, massive and commanding, with huge pillars of some strange blue stone, seemed comparatively well preserved. This building at once attracted Tony Buckden’s attention. He clapped his hands excitedly. ‪“As I live!” he declared, ‪“that looks like the temple described by Metlo.” ‪“Indeed!” exclaimed Frank. ‪“That is the truth.” ‪“But where are the anacondas?” ‪“Where?” The two men exchanged glances. Certainly, there was not a big snake in sight. But after all, this did not disprove Metlo’s story. ‪“De snakes may be dar all de same, Marse Frank,” declared Pomp. ‪“Of course,” agreed Tony. ‪“That is logical enough.” ‪“What shall we do?” ‪“Enter of course.” ‪“It is well to proceed with care.” ‪“Very well, we can do that.” But Barney and Pomp had already sprung up the steps of the temple. The next moment they disappeared inside of the place. Frank and Tony followed. As they entered the temple they saw that it was a high arched structure with evidences of having once been a building of great beauty. There was not a snake to be seen. ‪“Upon my word,” ejaculated Tony, ‪“this has every appearance of being the building described by Metlo.” ‪“It very likely is,” said Frank. ‪“I have no doubt of it.” ‪“But he described it as being literally alive with anacondas.” ‪“It may have been, and they may have lately deserted the place.” ‪“It looks like it.” ‪“Of course.” ‪“Then we are in great luck.” ‪“Yes.” “But the treasure—ah!” Buckden paused before a ring in the stone floor. It was an iron ring firmly joined to a slab of stone. The New Yorker bent down and began to pull upon it. The instant he did so a thrilling thing happened. There was a strange whirring sound as of machinery buzzing, and then a grating noise.