“I shouldn’t be surprised if we come across some snakes!” exclaimed Tibbs. “Better look where you’re going, Celia!” “I can’t see! And I ’spect I’ll tread on one if it gets any darkerer,” piped Kiddiwee. They had come to the head of some old, half-ruined steps leading down to a dark passageway. “It’s an awful risk,” said Tibbs, hesitatingly; “I don’t care about myself--but you two kids!” “Oh, no! _Do_ let’s go on!” cried Coppertop. “There may be something frightfully old and mysterious down there. I’ll go alone if you’re afraid.” That settled it! To be taunted by a mere girl was too much for Tibbs, and taking Kiddiwee by the hand, he descended the steps. It was now so dark that they had to feel their way along the wall, and once or twice they stumbled over the uneven flooring. On one occasion their blood went cold at the sound of a venomous hiss! And “something” brushed against Coppertop’s legs. After walking along this passage for what seemed to be a very long way, Tibbs said breathlessly-- “I say! This passage is going down hill! We shall be miles underground, soon. I don’t believe there is a December day down here, or any other day. We have been done!” “But the voice did ask us to come in, didn’t it?” said Coppertop. “Yes. But whose voice was it? It sounded to me very much like the Clerk of the Weather.” “It’s dreadful if it was!” panted Coppertop. “Whatever shall we do?” “Nothing to do but go on, now,” said Tibbs; “we don’t know the way back--and perhaps it’s all right,” he added, seeing how scared they both were. There was something so mysterious and awful about this dark, down-hill passage, that they all became quite silent, and only the sound of their stumbling steps and quick breathing could be heard. “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.