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because； as he said； 〃it was after all softer than stone。〃 Also；
I believe that in his heart he hoped that he might find an
opportunity of destroying the bigger and earlier edition of Oro
in the cave； before it was discovered by the natives who might
wish to make it an object of worship。 Tommy came also； with
greater alacrity than I expected； since dogs do not as a rule
like dark places。 When we reached the statue I learned the
reason； he remembered the smell he had detected at its base on
the previous day； which Bastin supposed to proceed from a rat；
and was anxious to continue his investigations。
We went straight to the statue； although Bickley passed the
half…buried machines with evident regret。 As we had hoped； the
strong light of the rising sun fell upon it in a vivid ray；
revealing all its wondrous workmanship and the majestyfor no
other word describes itof the somewhat terrifying countenance
that appeared above the wrappings of the shroud。 Indeed； I was
convinced that originally this monument had been placed here in
order that on certain days of the year the sun might fall upon it
thus； when probably worshippers assembled to adore their hallowed
symbol。 After all； this was common in ancient days： witness the
instance of the awful Three who sit in the deepest recesses of
the temple of Abu Simbel； on the Nile。
We gazed and gazed our fill； at least Bickley and I did； for
Bastin was occupied in making a careful comparison between the
head of his wooden Oro and that of the statue。
〃There is no doubt that they are very much alike；〃 he said。
〃Why； whatever is that dog doing？ I think it is going mad；〃 and
he pointed to Tommy who was digging furiously at the base of the
lowest step； as at home I have seen him do at roots that
sheltered a rabbit。
Tommy's energy was so remarkable that at length it seriously
attracted our attention。 Evidently he meant that it should do so；
for occasionally he sprang back to me barking； then returned and
sniffed and scratched。 Bickley knelt down and smelt at the stone。
〃It is an odd thing； Humphrey；〃 he said； 〃but there is a
strange odour here； a very pleasant odour like that of
sandal…wood or attar of roses。〃
〃I never heard of a rat that smelt like sandal…wood or attar of
roses；〃 said Bastin。 〃Look out that it isn't a snake。〃
I knelt down beside Bickley； and in clearing away the deep dust
from what seemed to be the bottom of the step； which was perhaps
four feet in height； by accident thrust my amateur spade somewhat
strongly against its base where it rested upon the rocky floor。
Next moment a wonder came to pass。 The whole massive rock
began to turn outwards as though upon a pivot！ I saw it coming
and grabbed Bickley by the collar； dragging him back so that we
just rolled clear before the great block； which must have weighed
several tons； fell down and crushed us。 Tommy saw it too； and
fled； though a little late； for the edge of the block caught the
tip of his tail and caused him to emit a most piercing howl。 But
we did not think of Tommy and his woes； we did not think of our
own escape or of anything else because of the marvel that
appeared to us。 Seated there upon the ground； after our backward
tumble； we could see into the space which lay behind the fallen
step； for there the light of the sun penetrated。
The first idea it gave me was that of the jewelled shrine of
some mediaeval saint which； by good fortune； had escaped the
plunderers； there are still such existing in the world。 It shone
and glittered； apparently with gold and diamonds； although； as a
matter of fact； there were no diamonds； nor was it gold which
gleamed； but some ancient metal； or rather amalgam； which is now
lost to the world； the same that was used in the tubes of the
air…machines。 I think that it contained gold； but I do not know。
At any rate； it was equally lasting and even more beautiful；
though lighter in colour。
For the rest this adorned recess which resembled that of a
large funeral vault； occupying the whole space beneath the base
of the statue that was supported on its arch； was empty save for
two flashing objects that lay side by side but with nearly the
whole width of the vault between them。
I pointed at them to Bickley with my finger； for really I could
not speak。
〃Coffins； by Jove！〃 he whispered。 〃Glass or crystal coffins and
people in them。 Come on！〃
A few seconds later we were crawling into that vault while
Bastin； still nursing the head of Oro as though it were a baby；
stood confused outside muttering something about desecrating
hallowed graves。
Just as we reached the interior； owing to the heightening of
the sun； the light passed away； leaving us in a kind of twilight。
Bickley produced carriage candles from his pocket and fumbled for
matches。 While he was doing so I noticed two thingsfirstly；
that the place really did smell like a scent…shop； and； secondly；
that the coffins seemed to glow with a kind of phosphorescent
light of their own； not very strong； but sufficient to reveal
their outlines in the gloom。 Then the candles burnt up and we
saw。
Within the coffin that stood on our left hand as we entered；
for this crystal was as transparent as plate glass； lay a most
wonderful old man； clad in a gleaming； embroidered robe。 His long
hair； which was parted in the middle； as we could see beneath the
edge of the pearl…sewn and broidered cap he wore； also his beard
were snowy white。 The man was tall； at least six feet four inches
in height； and rather spare。 His hands were long and thin； very
delicately made； as were his sandalled feet。
But it was his face that fixed our gaze； for it was marvelous；
like the face of a god； and； as we noticed at once； with some
resemblance to that of the statue above。 Thus the brow was broad
and massive； the nose straight and long； the mouth stern and
clear…cut； while the cheekbones were rather high； and the
eyebrows arched。 Such are the characteristics of many handsome
old men of good blood； and as the mummies of Seti and others show
us； such they have been for thousands of years。 Only this man
differed from all others because of the fearful dignity stamped
upon his features。 Looking at him I began to think at once of the
prophet Elijah as he must have appeared rising to heaven；
enhanced by the more earthly glory of Solomon； for although the
appearance of these patriarchs is unknown； of them one conceives
ideas。 Only it seemed probable that Elijah may have looked more
benign。 Here there was no benignity； only terrible force and
infinite wisdom。
Contemplating him I shivered a little and felt thankful that he
was dead。 For to tell the truth I was afraid of that awesome
countenance which； I should add； was of the whiteness of paper；
although the cheeks still showed tinges of colour； so perfect was
the preservation of the corpse。
I was still gazing at it when Bickley said in a voice of
amazement：
〃I say； look here； in the other coffin。〃
I turned； looked； and nearly collapsed on the floor of the
vault； since beauty can sometimes strike us like a blow。 Oh！
there before me lay all loveliness； such loveliness that there
burst from my lips an involuntary cry：
〃Alas！ that she should be dead！〃
A young woman； I supposed； at least she looked young； perhaps
five or six and twenty years of age； or so I judged。 There she
lay； her tall and delicate shape half hidden in masses of
rich…hued hair in colour of a ruddy blackness。 I know not how
else to describe it； since never have I seen any of the same
tint。 Moreover； it shone with a life of its own as though it had
been dusted with gold。 From between the masses of this hair
appeared a face which I can only call divine。 There was every
beauty that woman can boast； from the curving eyelashes of
extraordinary length to the sweet and human mouth。 To these
charms also were added a wondrous smile and an air of kind
dignity； very different from the fierce pride stamped upon the
countenance of the old man who was her companion in death。
She was clothed in some close…fitting robe of white broidered
with gold； pearls were about her neck； lying far down upon the
perfect bosom； a girdle of gold and shining gems encircled her
slender waist； and on her little feet were sandals fastened with
red stones like rubies。 In truth； she was a splendid creature；
and yet； I know not how； her beauty suggested more of the spirit
than of the flesh。 Indeed； in a way； it was unearthly。 My senses
were smitten； it pulled at my heart…strings； and yet its
unutterable strangeness seemed to awake memories within me；
though of what I could not tell。 A wild fancy came to me that I
must have known this heavenly creature in some past life。
By now Bastin had joined us； and； attracted by my exclamation
and by the attitude of Bickley； who was staring down at the
coffin