Icefall (Dane Maddock Adventures) Read Free Page B

triskelion-like shape in front of one of the temple columns.
    Otto leaned in close and his eyes widened with surprise when they fell on the spot Dane indicated. “ Ja! I think it might be the three hares! ”
    Dane wasted no time. He placed his thumb over the image, grimacing at the thought of da Magi ng the work of art. He pressed down gently. There was definitely something underneath, a raised bump or... a button. Before he could change his mind, he pressed down hard.
    He felt the raised area give way, heard a click, and a loud scraping sound filled the silent cathedral. He sprang back, putting his arms out to shield Jade and Otto, but there was no need. The portion of the wall where the painting hung slid forward. Dane stepped around behind it and saw a hole in the floor just big enough for a person to enter. There was no ladder, but he could see handholds cut into the stone.
    “ Sweet! ” Bones was leaning over his shoulder, looking down at the passageway Dane had discovered. “ Me first! ”
    Otto gaped at the discovery. “ I cannot believe this. ” He gave a sad smile. “ It seems I am saying that a great deal this evening. ” He straightened and looked Dane in the eye. “ Clearly the priest was not confused. There is a mystery here, though I cannot i Magi ne what it is all about. ” He turned to Jade. “ There could be much at stake here, and if there is a secret, it should be entrusted to someone who understand s the value of history and of spirituality. ” He held out his hand. “ I trust you. ”
    They shook hands and exchanged a solemn look.
    “ Go now. Die polizei should be here soon. I am a regular visitor here, so my presence will not rouse suspicion. Perhaps we can keep you and this mystery out of the public eye until you can uncover the truth. ”
    They thanked Otto and, one by one, climbed down into the darkness. Bones led the way and Dane brought up the rear. As he descended into the shaft, he saw Otto wave goodbye and reach up to press the button on the painting. The section of wall slid back into place, plunging them into darkness.

Chapter 3- Temple
     
    Dane took it slow, careful not to rush Jade and Angel who were not experienced climbers. A faint light blossomed down below. Bones was holding his latest favorite gadget- a combination ink pen, flashlight, and laser pointer that he frequently used to entertain cats and annoy everyone else. When he reached the bottom, he fished his own keychain flashlight out of his pocket and he and Bones shone their light s all around.
    They were in a circular chamber, the stones fitted neatly together with expert craftsmanship. He saw no doorways, trapdoors, or anything that would indicate a means of egress.
    “ Dead end? ” Angel looked around. “ I sure don ’ t see anything here. ”
    “ Places like this are never as they seem. ” Dane hoped he wasn ’ t about to be made to look the fool. “ The sign of the three hares is what got us down here, so I ’ d guess we ’ re looking for something similar. ”
    “ You mean like what ’ s right next to your foot? ” Jade too had taken out a small flashlight and directed the beam down at the floor where Dane stood. A manhole-sized disc carved with the three hare symbol was set in the floor.
    “ Why am I the only one with no flashlight? ” Angel stood with her arms folded. “ I t ’ s not exactly an essential, ye t you all have one? ”
    “ We ’ re archaeologists, ” Jade explained as she and Dane knelt down to give the disc a closer examination. “ You never know when you ’ re going to find yourself crawling into a cave or a dark tunnel. ” She held her flashlight in her teeth, grasped the disc with both hands, and tugged. It did not budge.
    “ Maybe it turns. Let ’ s get some extra muscle on it. ” Dane found handholds on the raised portion of the carving and was surprised when Angel lent a hand.
    “ You want muscle? You want me, not Bones. He ’ s a wuss. ” She flashed her