“If you take my advice, my dears,” came the familiar voice of their old friend, “you’ll turn back.”
“You’ll never find what you are seeking down there,” he added; “and even if Amon Ra had one to spare he’d never part with it. He dislikes foreigners. Take my advice and turn back. You’re near his temple now.”
“Oh, we can’t turn back now!” cried Coppertop. “I’ve never seen Amon Ra. He’s the Sun God. Daddy told me about him. We must go on.”
“Well, I’m going on, for one,” agreed Tibbs.
“’Es, so am I!” echoed Kiddiwee, although his voice trembled.
“Australian—very Australian!” sighed Mr. Atom, and left them to their fate.
After groping along a little further, the children turned a sharp corner and found themselves within a vast chamber.
There were huge pillars on one side, and massive blocks of carved stone on the other. The place was lit by a strange glow which fell between the pillars, throwing their long shadows across the tiled floor.
“Oh, dear! My wings have gone!” gasped Coppertop, for they had vanished the moment she entered the chamber; “I wish I had not been so curious and stupid as to come here!”
“Look!” cried Tibbs, in a thrilled voice.