‪“Have you ever seen its equal?” asked Tony in amazement. ‪“Never!” ‪“What is it intended to represent?” ‪“Like the statues of Bacchus and the Centaurs found in ancient Greece, it is a creation of mythical sort.” “I believe you’re right. Hello! What is this? Another trapdoor?” Tony paused before a heavy iron ring set in the tiled floor. “Don’t trouble it,” said Frank. ‪“It may let us down into another underground lake.” ‪“Do you believe it?” ‪“I should fear it.” But Tony could not resist the temptation to insert his fingers in the ring and give the stone a lift. It was a reckless thing to do. The result was startling. The stone yielded, and the next moment Buckden lifted it from its bed, disclosing a cavity beneath some four feet long by two wide. Stone steps were revealed leading downward. For a moment the two explorers looked at each other. ‪“What will we do?” asked Buckden. ‪“Investigate,” said Frank, tersely. ‪“But it is dark down there.” “That doesn’t matter,” said the young inventor, coolly. ‪“We will regulate that.” Then, from his pocket, Frank produced a small folding pocket lantern, an invention of his own. He lit this and boldly ventured down into the place. He went down a dozen steps, and then a wonderful sight was spread before him. A large chamber, about fifteen feet in length by ten in breadth, hewn out of solid rock, was revealed. The walls were adorned with shelves, and about the stone floor were chests of metal. These chests contained coins and silver and gold cups, flagons, pots and all sorts of ware, thrown about promiscuously and in heaps. For a moment the two explorers, astounded, gazed at the scene before them. Both were so dumbfounded that they could not speak. One thing was apparent to them, and it brought the blood in surges to their temples. The treasure of Mazendla was found. It would be quite impossible to enumerate its mighty value. But it would seem that it must be up in the millions. For how many centuries it had remained here it would be quite hard to say. ‪“Heavens!” gasped Frank. ‪“Here is enough to enrich us many times, Tony.” ‪“I should say so.” ‪“It is the wealth of a king.” ‪“To be sure.” ‪“But what great good can it do us? We have got enough.” ‪“That is so.” The two explorers proceeded to make an examination of the contents of the treasure room. Among all the gold and silver Frank looked for diamonds. But these seemed scarce. However, he did find a few in a small silver casket. These he secured, and, with Tony, took several bags of the coins and some of the quaint silverware. ‪“Well,” said Tony, speculatively, ‪“what shall we do with all this stuff, Frank? It is too bad to leave it here.” ‪“I have an idea.” ‪“What?” ‪“Let us take it to New York, convert it into greenbacks and disperse it in charities.” ‪“Good!” cried Tony, readily, ‪“that is a fine idea.” They now ascended to the main room of the temple. For the first time Frank thought of Barney and Pomp.