Presently all became silent, then the light flashed through the chamber again, and in the chairs where the skeleton had sat, Solomon Strange saw a number of robbers seated, while, where the figure stood, Duval Dungarvon was standing.
Instead of daggers, the robbers held in their hands the goblets of (not blood) red, sparkling wine, which as they lifted to their lips, Dungarvon said:
“Here’s to Black Bear, the great Cheyenne chief, our new and distinguished member of the brotherhood of Mountain Men,” and as he concluded, they placed the goblets to their lips and drank.
And thus ended the ceremony, which, to the reader, may be horrifying and even disgusting, nevertheless it is a positive fact that such a custom did exist among the mountain robbers.
“Now, come, Black Bear,” said Dungarvon, taking that supposed worthy by the skin-clad arm, “and I will show you through our ranch, and the secrets connected with it.”
The two crossed the wide chamber, which Dungarvon had designated the “Cloister of the Ghouls,” and entered a smaller apartment that was brilliantly lighted. In this room was a carpenter’s work-bench and tools of all kinds.
“This,” said Dungarvon, “is the mechanical department. We often find it necessary to our success to use a carpenter to make coffins and other things. But let us go on.”
“This is our engraving-room and mint, for making counterfeit ‘greenbacks’ and ‘gold coin.’ Now I will show you how we make our doors open and close,” he said, leading Solomon Strange, who was drinking in every word with the deepest interest, back to his own apartment.
“You see this small projection; by _pushing_ on it when the door is open, it will close; and by _pulling_ upon it, it will open the door, thus,” and the robber-chief illustrated the matter, by causing the wall to roll apart and then shut again. “Now, the whole thing is worked by hidden springs, how exactly, no one ever knew, but the inventor, who was three years in constructing the doors in this cavern. First, however, immense grooves were chiseled in the floor and ceiling, and in them, these great rocks move on invisible rollers. All the machinery that works it is concealed in an artificial cavity back in the permanent walls. Now see, Brandon, if you can open and shut the door.”