Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Itwaswithsometrouble,andafternolittleexperimentthatIgropedmywayintothissecretalley;butoncethere,therestwaseasy.Ihadnevertroddenitbeforecertainly,buttheplanofithadbeentaughtmeatmyinitiationasoneoftheSeven,andthecourseofthewindingscamebacktomenowwitheasyaccuracy.Iwalkedquickly,notonlybecausetheairinthosedeepcranniesisalwaysfulloflurkingevils,butalsobecausethehourswerefleeting,andmuchmustbedonebeforeourLordtheSunagainrosetomakeanotherday.

           Icametothespy-placewhichcommandsthetemple,andfoundtheholyplaceempty,and,alas!dust-covered,andshowinglittletracethatworshipperseverfrequentedittheselatteryears.Avaststoneofthewallswungoutwardsandgavemeentrance,andpresently(afterthesolemnprayerwhichisneedfulbeforeattemptingthesematters),Itookthemetalstairfromtheplacewhereitiskept,andclimbedtothelapoftheGoddess,andthen,pullingthestairafterme,climbedagainupwardstillmylengthlayagainsthercalmmysteriousface.

           AshiveringseizedmeasIthoughtofwhatwasintended,forevenawarriorhardenedtohorridsightsanddeedsmaywellhavequalmswhenheiscalledupontojugglewithlifeanddeath,andyearsandhistory,withthewelfareofhiscountryinonehand,andthefutureofawomanwhoisaslifetohimintheother.ButagainItoldmyselfthatthehoursflew,andlaidholdofthejewelwhichisstuddedintotheforeheadoftheimagewithonehand,andthenstretchingout,thrustatacorneroftheeyebrowwiththeother.