[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
."As the three laughed at the Javier's humor, Serena noticed a carrying tube under Dr.Samuelson's arm."So, Dr.Samuelson, are those the infamous scrolls we've heard so much about?" Serena asked.Pulling them from under his arm, he held them out for her and said, "Well, these aren't the originals I'm afraid, but they are perfect copies.The originals are too delicate and too priceless for travel.""Yeah, can you imagine the embarrassment of the airline trying to tell you they lost them somewhere, but not to worry, they'll turn up eventually," Javier added.Accepting the tube from Dr.Samuelson, she asked, "Mind if I have a look at these, Dr.Samuelson?""It would be my pleasure.And by the way, please call me Burt," he responded.Serena flashed him a cordial smile, then slipped the cap off the container.Pulling out the rolled paper from inside, she opened the scrolls and gave them a quick review."Exquisite," she said as she scanned the first scroll."Yes, they really are," Burt responded proudly."I must tell you, I'm dying to compare them to the ones you found.""We didn't find them.Jack Roberts did," she shot back in reflex."Sorry, I forgot.Yes, Jack Roberts.What a shame.I remember our conversation.He seemed like an intelligent young man.Imagine my surprise to learn of his discovery," he replied, then added in saddened tone, "and of his tragic death.such a shame.""We can't believe it either," Javier concurred.The three stood for a moment, silently reflecting in their own way.Javier cleared his throat and continued."Well, would you like the grand tour or should we get on with the main event?""I believe my impatience has overcome my sense of propriety.If you don't mind, I'd like to see your scrolls before the tour," he replied."Nothing improper about that.It's just a garden-variety office building anyway.Probably bore you to death," Javier responded.Pointing toward the laboratory, he added, "Follow me."The three entered the lab and walked to the back of the room to a large rectangular table holding the four scrolls.Laid out neatly, side by side and under a layer of glass, they were an impressive sight.Burt's face filled with intensity as his eyes scanned from one scroll to the next.Running his hands over the glass, he involuntarily tried to feel their texture only to realize the folly of his action.Pulling a small, well-worn magnifying glass from his jacket pocket, he began to examine the first of the five scrolls."Burt, you didn't have to bring your own magnifying glass.We would have lent you one of ours," Javier teased."Sorry, force of habit I guess.I generally don't go anywhere without this," he replied, now bending over and examining the first line.Nodding his head slightly in approval, he reached back into his jacket and pulled out a small note book.Flipping it open, he laid it on the glass while he continued to review the hieroglyphics.Inside the note book, the pages were filled with hieroglyphics and their translated names.Looking back and forth, he cross checked the hieroglyphics from the scroll to those in the note book."Hmm, this is very interesting," he said to no one in particular."What do you think?" Serena asked, now visibly excited.Without taking his eyes off his work, Burt replied excitedly, "Extraordinary, just extraordinary.These symbols are very similar to those on my tablets.I think I can translate these.""Really? That's unbelievable?" Javier blurted out.As the minutes ticked by, Javier and Serena watched anxiously as Burt translated bits and pieces of the scrolls.Looking up at Javier, Burt asked, "Could you show me the symbol?""Absolutely," he said, now beaming with pride.Pointing to the second scroll, he moved his hand down toward the middle of the page.Even before he stopped, Burt moved his magnifying glass over the symbol.Hovering over it, his eyes were mesmerized.Under his breath, he uttered something neither Javier, nor Serena could hear."What was that, Burt?" Javier asked, now curious about the faint whispering.Burt continued to stare at the hieroglyphic, his mind trying to comprehend its implication.Slowly, he moved his focus along the scroll, taking in other symbols.Again, he stopped and stared, uttering whispers under his breath.Continuing on, he examined several more lines of hieroglyphics, coming to a stop over a specific symbol of interest."So what do you make of it Burt? You're not going to keep us in suspense, are you?" Javier teased.Burt stood back from the scrolls, his face devoid of all expression.His eyes seemed to be glazed over and his mind far off on a different plane.Javier waved his hand in front of Burt’s face, humorously trying to get his attention."Burt, do we need to call you an ambulance? Come on man, you're killing us with suspense.Do we have a match?" Javier asked."I'm sorry, Javi, I wasn't expecting this.I know we talked about it over the phone but seeing it first hand is earth-shattering," Burt replied."Earth shattering? Don't tell me you found an ancient recipe for salad dressing?" Javier joked, now becoming impatient."Burt, give me a straight answer.Does the symbol of the pyramid and the man match the one on your scrolls?""In a word, yes," he replied.Serena and Javier exhaled together, their nervous tension finally relieved by that one simple reply."Wow, this really is unbelievable [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]