Crowding close to him, all three read the words cut in the silver plate:
“My Daughter: To God I trust thee; into His keeping I give thee. O Junius! If thou hast, in years past and numbered in the great cycle of time, loved, and loved with steadfast heart, then arise and rescue that love from oblivion; but—and search thy heart to its utmost depths—if such love has never been, or is past and gone, turn back again, and leave to eternal rest the being who lies entombed before you—my daughter, Marie Colchis.
“Within the second chamber are batteries and means of obtaining heat, and fluids of life-giving principles. Cause the chamber to be warmed, arrange the batteries for current, and prepare the nourishment which you will find in the glass jars. When all is ready, cover your nostrils well, break the top glass of the casket, quickly seize the form therein lying, and bear it to the second chamber.
“Once within the warmth of that room, tear off the bandages, and apply the poles of the battery to the heart, in front, and over the fifth rib, in the back. Let the current come with all its force. If it be God’s will, the form will shake, will quiver, open its eyes, will breathe, and become a living woman once again. Nourishment and care are all that will be required to complete the resurrection. Within the folds of the bandages over the heart lies a golden case containing a letter which is to be read by my daughter alone. Give it to her when she is recovered, and may God be with you.
“Jean Colchis.”
“Ah!” sighed Mollie, with tears in her eyes; “I see it all—I know it all!” Then, with all semblance of fear vanished from her heart, she cried:
“To work, doctor! To work!”
Dr. Town was a man quick to grasp a situation. He did not stop to wonder or ask questions. To be sure, he was very much surprised at what he saw, and at Mollie’s exclamation, but he was prepared to rescue a woman therein entombed—this from a knowledge of the contents of the letter found in the copper cylinder, and which Mollie had shown him. Wasting no time in speculation, the instructions engraved upon the tablet on the top of the casket were carefully followed out. Returning to the second chamber, they commenced their work. Oil was found in the sealed bottles, and put into the stove, whose asbestos wick would still perform its functions. The stove was soon aglow with a bright flame, and its warmth diffused about the chamber. The batteries were ready for adjustment, and only required the dropping of the carbons into the electropoion fluid. The bottles of beef extract and fluids of nourishment were opened, and their contents prepared upon the stove. Clothing from their own persons was prepared by the two girls, as none could be found about the place.
When all was ready, the doctor prepared to break the glass top of the casket.
“Remain here,” he said to them, “and I will bring her to you;” then, modestly: “and you shall strip off the bandages and cover her form; but leave bare her bosom and back.”