The object of their surprise was a strange looking statue.
It was sculptured out of the same peculiar greenish stone as the dragon seen below stairs.
The statue was a compromise between a man and some strange wild animal resembling the panther.
Certainly a more life like and hideous monstrosity they had never beheld before. They gazed upon it in wonderment.
“Have you ever seen its equal?” asked Tony in amazement.
“Never!”
“What is it intended to represent?”
“Like the statues of Bacchus and the Centaurs found in ancient Greece, it is a creation of mythical sort.”
“I believe you’re right. Hello! What is this? Another trapdoor?”
Tony paused before a heavy iron ring set in the tiled floor.