The Secret of the Stones, Ernest Dempsey [popular books to read TXT] 📗

opened the envelope carefully and removed the contents. Inside was something that Sean did not expect. Instead of finding a translation of some ancient code, as he assumed, he realized it was a letter written specifically to him by Dr. Borringer.

The two exchanged confused glances. “How did he know you would come here?” Allyson seemed to read his thoughts.

“I don’t know.” Sean was just as confounded.

Both pairs of eyes scanned the letter as he laid it out on the desk.

Hello, Sean. If you are reading this, then I fear my suspicions were correct. But if you found this letter, you have taken the first step. Edgar Poe’s “The Purloined Letter” trick is certainly a good one.

Recently, our mutual friend Thomas Schultz sent me a most interesting artifact he discovered in the northern part of Georgia . As you and I both know, Thomas has been searching that area and other areas in the state with a reserved, but notable interest for some time.

Until I received his request for help, though, I had no possible idea just how deep his search had gone. I hope that I have not failed him in his quest. It seems that someone else has learned of the artifact and has been watching me ever since it came into my possession. My first thought was that if I put off the translation and pretended that it was of no import, the man following me would consider the possibility that it was just another random piece from a dig somewhere else in the world. That strategy, however, did not work. He continued to follow me and watch my every move. The fact that this stranger and his cohorts did not attempt to steal the stone disc meant that they needed me to translate it just as much as Thomas did. There are only two others in the world who I believe could have performed this translation due to the rarity and the blending of the languages on it.

Unable to postpone the work any longer, I set about translating the mixture of languages on the back of the stone. I was shocked to discover that there were four different forms of writing inscribed into the ancient disc. The languages are rare to begin with, but having them combined together into a singular form of writing was most puzzling. It took many long hours to put together the combination of words and phrases. Almost more confusing than the languages were the pictures on the front of the artifact.

Eventually, I was able to decipher the message on the back, which proved to be interesting but less than helpful. Then, I realized that the inscription on the stone was only part of the message. What was written on the back worked in conjunction with the picture clues on the front. Even for someone as learned in ancient languages as I, it was very difficult, at first, to try and understand the meaning of the engraved scene.

On what I call the front of the disc is a picture of two birds. They are standing on some kind of perch, facing each other. In between the birds is a dividing line that looks like some kind of pole. I was not sure what the picture could possibly mean. Even now, I am not certain what the true purpose is behind it. I regret that I can be of no further assistance. But in relation to the message on the back, perhaps you and Thomas can unravel the puzzle that I could not. I wrote down the translation on the back of a separate piece of paper in this envelope. Good luck to you and your friend in this endeavor. I only hope that what has surely befallen me does not happen to anyone else.

Sincerely,

Frank Borringer

Sean finished reading the note, still puzzled. He set the letter down respectfully on the desk and removed the second piece of paper from the envelope. Its message was odd:

Ancient stones will mark your path and of the chariots of Heaven. The raven and the dove will guide you on your journey home. The key with sacred bones does lie. Make every step true, and unlock the chambers, for they shall light the way to the resting place of mankind.

“The chambers are real,” Sean’s voice was reverent, barely above a whisper.

“What does it mean?” Allyson was befuddled.

“I don’t know.” Sean’s gaze went to the drawings of a circular object on the page. He examined what was labeled as the front and then the back, looking closely at the tiny inscription’s remarkable detail. The picture of two birds facing each other was just as peculiar as the riddle. Indeed, they did appear to be sitting on some kind of railing with what appeared to be a rod in between them. “I have no idea what ‘the resting place of mankind’ could possibly mean. The letter from Dr. Borringer said that the message on the back and the picture on the front were both clues pointing to the same thing.”

“So the stone points the way to the chambers. What do the chambers contain?”

“I suppose that whoever this stone was meant for would know the answer to that. But it seems like the chambers are not the final destination.” Sean seemed to realize this last truth while he spoke.

“So, Tommy has been looking for this for several years?” she asked, looking at the translation. Her mind could not wrap around a possible meaning.

“I would say that one of the birds is a raven, and the other the dove, but they look similar.” He looked closer at the medallion-shaped sketch. Then, realizing he hadn‘t answered her question, “Yes. Tommy has been looking for the