"I agree," said JB. "If someone will get me the phone number or put me in contact with him, I'd be happy to oblige. Also the address here would help as I've no idea where we are."
"Barry help here please," said Matt. "I'm going to take JB's advice and have the box moved covertly. The Pinkerton agency is still the best around."
Gwen said, "Let me call Sid as he loves to hear my sexy voice. He'll do anything for me. I'll call him after you make your call Matt."
Chapter Six
First JB made the call to Alex McFadden who readily agreed to see the famous Professor Wallace. He'd arrive after his shift around 6pm.
Next Matt set it up with the Pinkerton agency to transfer the metal box to an address forthcoming tomorrow. By phone, Gwen was warmly received by Sid. She asked him if he would work with the Pinkerton people when they arrived. Sid readily agreed. He told her they were keeping a close watch on the yacht and all was well.
Matt left to see his solicitors that had been in the family for decades. He told all to meet him at the Duck and Waffle Restaurant in the Huron Tower building. Barry would make reservations. Of course Dr. McFadden was invited.
When all was in order Gwen said, "I'll get the book and let you look at it. I'd suggest latex gloves. When we got to Lisbon we purchased a giant seal-a-meal machine. I put it in my check in bag and with their usual efficiency it's still in my bag. I'll go get it for you to feast your eyes on."
Barry and Liz were sitting on pins and needles waiting to see history in the making. It was hard to imagine that a 12 thousand plus year old written document alluding to the idea of off world beings. They were even more amazed when they saw the perfect Old World Latin written so beautifully from left to right.
Liz sat the plastic covered book down and Barry took out his Boy Scout knife. He said, "Hey don't laugh, it's sharp so be careful," as he handed to Gwen. She deftly cut the sealed bag then she asked Liz for something to set the book on. Liz jumped up and after searching high and low, came back with a bath towel with Mickey Mouse smiling at everyone. JB chuckled while Gwen sat the leather bound book onto Mickey's face.
Gwen had gloves on and passed a stack of gloves to Liz sitting on her left. JB shook his head but clearly was focused on the object on the table. Barry jumped up saying he was going to get a table light for better visibility. Meanwhile JB noticed that the leather cover was sewn together from back binding around both the front cover and back cover. It was a wrap around rather than an inline stitch. JB wondered why, but said nothing just then. He had patience and let it develop. Let the young and curious discover with fresh eyes and a fresh brain. Time was something he had a lot of at this moment. It was almost like an out of body experience witnessing a vivid picture of life thousands of years ago. This wasn't oral history; this was written clearly portraying a picture of an ancient civilization suddenly disappearing.
Carefully Gwen opened to the first page. The concentric circles were vivid interspersed with cuneiform writing. "I know I'm jumping the gun, but anybody got a clue here what the circles and writing is all about," asked Barry
"One theory is a map of the city, area, ringed with irrigation canals or rivers. Plato talked about it as you are probably aware. The Latin text refers to places, activities, with a central hub that is surrounded by the circles. What the cuneiform writing says is best left up to an expert. You both, Barry and Liz are readers of Old Latin. I'll give each of you a copy, but it must never leave this flat," said Gwen.
"If you look at the outside circle, I can see dots or periods on either side of the circle line," said JB. "What, if any, that refers to is anyone's guess. It's possible that these circles are a double map of both the earth land area and of the heavens. I've nothing to back this up, but just a nagging feeling in my ancient bones. If you look closely the center dot is just off center slightly. Is this on purpose or an accident, I wonder."
"Interesting thought JB," said Gwen. "I go back to the original thought that begs the question why this book and why the sophisticated container?"
"I can't resist a challenge," said Barry. "However, I know when I'm in over my head and it appears this unique phenomenon will take some additional brain power. If what we all suspect is evident, this could be beyond all of our reach at this point in time. In a speculation as to why they left the book was to see if we're up to the task of making contact with another life form."
"Liz what's on your mind," said Gwen.
"I've been thinking hard Gwen about this whole thing. On the one hand we are offered a once in life time opportunity to, as the old Star Trek, saying: 'Go where no man has gone before' right in front of us. On the other hand, I don't think mankind is ready to grasp the concept of relinquishing his selfishness. I think before too long, as the days go by, people will suffer mentally and physically from this discovery. I can visualize billions of pounds sinking in a quagmire of greed. Science will benefit the most. I sure hope the cream rises to the top."
"Wow, Liz, that was some statement," said Barry. "Let's put our heads together and find the clue to the riddle."
JB said, "Why do you think the front cover and back cover are wrapped together. Wouldn't it have been fine to just have the thick leather front and back? What I'm saying is, maybe there is something between the two pieces of leather. I saw when you opened it the cover is stiff. What is making the front and back covers ridged?"
Gwen, Barry and Liz were staring at the opened front cover examining the rolled thin leather tying the double thick front cover. Gwen was first to reach down and gently try and fold the cover. Then she took two hands feeling from the front edge completely touching the smooth leather cover. "No doubt there's something between the leather pieces. Do we dare unlace the cover front and back?"
"We could X-ray it," said Barry.
"I'm not sure Barry, if that would tell us much. I think we need to wait until McFadden takes a look," said JB
"It's something stiff, but pliable, like maybe tin or some kind of metal," said Gwen. Orichalcum is a metal Plato mentions. Some say it's a composite of copper and gold or something like that. Well, I'm getting a little hungry. All this brain work has drained me of the necessary chemicals to feed my brain. I don't know about you JB, but I’m not sure what day it is or what time it is. "said Gwen.
"Let me help you out Gwen. It's 3:30 pm and the date is March 28th. As it's my birthday I expect Barry to have a chocolate cake for me," said Liz.
"Are you kidding me, said Barry."I'd no idea when your birthday was. This is totally unacceptable Liz. I do hope you'll forgive me."
The elevator gave notice someone wanted to come up. Barry ran to the video camera and pushed the button for entrance. He waited by the door until it opened. All eyes were on the door as a fine looking man stepped out with an overcoat on holding a bunch of red roses. He broke a big smile and walked over to Liz and handed her the bouquet of flowers. Then he stepped back two paces, dropped the overcoat revealing a perfect body with only a thong covering his privates. He, in a wonderful voice, sang happy birthday to Liz.
JB was smiling; Gwen and Liz both had their mouths hanging open in absolute shock. When the man finished he walked back to Liz, put his arms around her and gave her a big kiss. One minute later he was gone. Liz was frozen to her position as Barry came up smiling and said, "Happy birthday Liz."
Gwen was laughing and Liz was still red faced. Then she started leaking tears down her face. Barry gave her a hug, while Gwen took the roses to the kitchen looking for a vase. JB made himself scarce while the two young people enjoyed the moment.
Down on the street, as the birthday man exited the building, he was stopped by two rather rough looking guys. The older of the two asked, "Hey mate, what were you doing up there. We saw you with flowers and want to know who and what they were for."
Birthday man stepped back and with a smile, opened his overcoat, ground his hips and ran like hell, leaving the two men staring after him. The younger one said, "He's some kind of pervert, but he sure has a ni
ce body." The older guy cuffed him on the back and walked back to their stakeout.
Later as evening approached, Matt hurried back to the flat. It would be rather rude if he missed the appointment of Dr. McFadden. Inside the foyer he buzzed the top floor for permission to enter. A minute later he was inside the flat breathing a little hard from hurrying. Gwen gave him a hug and said, "We saved a few crumbs for you. Sorry we were so famished we almost ate it all. Besides we've a big dinner planned."
"I need a shower. How about I tell you what happened while you wash my back," he whispered into her ear.
"Done deal," she answered.
While they were gone, JB, Barry and Liz were listening to JB read the book. JB took a break and Barry said, "JB, the text seems like it's writing a letter to someone back home telling them what he saw, what he did and what his was going to do. I did pick up some subtleties, but mostly I heard how wonderful a place it is. I did hear where the writer said, 'back home' and 'have sent a few' recently. What did you hear Liz?"
"I felt like I was in utopia. I'd guess the author was teasing the reader a bit. The Land of Contentment certainly sounds utopian, but is it a come on? Are we being suckered in on something bigger than what we can imagine? Let me say this, if Atlantis ceased to exist many thousands of years ago, why haven't they, whoever they are, been back? Like maybe it was an experiment gone bad and they buried the evidence, but left behind a hope and dream. Well, you asked me and lord knows what else we can speculate on. If we're to solve the riddle or message then we should pull out all the stops to do just that."
Both JB and Barry were quietly thinking about what Liz said. So much to think about and so much pure speculation was getting them nowhere fast.
"Gwen, hand me a wash cloth please." Matt was standing in his custom built shower. It had four nozzles from which soaked all of your body at one time. No turning around in this shower. It was 4' x 8' with the door at the end. The spray nozzles were adjustable up and down for the shower persons' height.
The first time Gwen stepped into the shower reminded her of PE class while in high school. There was room for four or five and lots of room for two to frolic around in. A cedar bench was available for sit-down washing or for any other extracurricular activities. As it happens, the bench was in use while the other team members were seeking solace in utopian thoughts.
Gwen said, totally out of breath, "Here's your wash cloth Tall Man. She still had it in her hand. Matt laughed and proceeded to give her one of his special wash jobs. He said, while busy soaping her up, "The lawyer is on top of it and will secure what he can for us. He'll hire some Spanish lawyers to deal with the government and to secure our site. We'd best hurry as McFadden is due anytime I think."
"Okay Tall Man, thanks for the wash and the special attention to detail. Let me rinse off and you lead the way. I need to take a little time to do my hair if we are going out. See you soon."
Matt dressed in a hurry. When he was finished dressing Gwen knew heads would be turning as soon as they stepped outside. Italy has it all over the world when it comes to fine clothes. Matt was tall so he had most of his clothes made for him. However, Levis were his first love and sport coats with elbow patches made him almost a little vain.
Barry hurried to the elevator to verify the visitor. He saw what couldn’t be mistaken for a British Museum guy: a full head of red hair, heavy rimmed glasses and a well trimmed beard. He looked up at the camera and gave a two finger salute. Barry opened the elevator door and up it came. He waited at the door and greeted Dr. McFadden with a hearty hand shake. Barry liked his grip as it was firm and warm. Walking into the center of the room, with the just now addition of Matt, they all made their respective introductions. Matt said, "We are honored Dr. McFadden that you would take the time to visit us under extremely urgent need. Let's all sit at the conference table please. Barry would you open a bottle of wine. I think we're all going to need a little spirit of the grape to see us through the initial part of our meeting."
The book was still on the conference table but now it was covered with a plain white cotton pillow cover. After all were sat down, Matt said, Dr. McFadden what we are about to reveal probably speaks for itself. I can tell you this. We were just off the coast of southern Spain at a site we felt held promise that maybe would shed some light on the Atlantis phenomenon. We'd just finished a dive when an earthquake occurred. We waited a day or so and then resumed our inspection of our site. The earthquake had greatly disturbed the seabed. In the rubble we saw a square object that turned out to be manmade."
JB passed a folder over to McFadden. Matt continued, "In that folder you'll view the object from our camera. As we speak the metal box or container is being flown to London with instructions to deliver to your museum. Inside the metal box contained a leather bound book, which is in front of you. We had the book dated by a reputable university to about 12,000 BP. We all can read Old Latin and now we'd like for you to take a look Dr. McFadden."
"Please call me Mac," he said in an unmistakable Irish brogue. I'm but a humble civil servant lucky enough to have a gift for ancient languages. From his pocket he had a pair of latex gloves which he expertly put on while Liz took off the cotton cover. The book was sitting on a velvet cloth. Mac gently pulled the leather book towards him. Skillfully he opened the book to its first page. Without taking his eyes off the page of circles within circles, he carefully laid the cover on the velvet cloth. He adjusted his glasses while Barry had brought over a table lamp as it was almost dark out.
Not a sound could be heard. Mac folded his arms onto the table and studied the interspersed between the concentric circles cuneiform writing. After a minute or so he reached down into his brief case extracting a fairly large magnifying glass. With his left hand he turned the book slowly clockwise. While he was doing that, Gwen silently approached standing just off to the side of Matt. Matt detected the familiar smell of almonds. He smiled at her and returned to watch Mac continue his inspection.
No one moved for almost a quarter hour. Then Mac looked up and saw Gwen standing next to Matt at the head of the table. Even though Mac was an academic, he did appreciate a nice looking woman. After the introduction to Gwen, he said, "I'm not sure what to make of this curious anomaly. I can read the writing very easily, but, with no pun intended, it goes in circles, like it's repeating itself. I'll need time to study this diagram. It would be nice to involve an astronomer to see if these circles are universe oriented."
"We're trying to ask Dr. Alice Winslow to join our team, but our calls have gone unanswered as of right now. We know she is in Scotland and we've left messages. Sooner or later she will respond. Can you Mac give us some food for thought before dinner; and no pun intended either." A chuckle went around the table and for the first time they saw Mac smile rather than a thin lipped intense concentration upon his Irish face.
"From what you've told me I really hate to speculate, but what we've here in front of us will monumentally change how we view human kind and how we look at the universe. If this book dates back to 12 thousand BP then we have to ask ourselves who wrote this book. Latin, as we understand it today, goes back only about half of the stated dating of this book. Clearly we are faced with the notion of life outside our solar system. However, never let it be said that I even publically said that," Mac said with an even bigger smile.
"Mac, would you take a closer look at the leather cover and the back cover. I think, because of the roll stitching or fastening the two pieces together, there's something in-between to add strength to the covers," said JB.
Mac lifted the book cover, bent it slightly, laid it on one hand to weigh it and then did the same with the back cover. With his magnifying glass he examined the roll stitching noting how professional it was done. "No doubt something is between and maybe a form of tin or copper tin mixed."
"Barry and I will get ready for dinner. We'll be back directly," said Liz.
Gwen said, sitting down in a chair across from Mac, that Liz had just vacated, "We
were warned that somebody is watching us. If that's the case and regardless if they are, we'd like to have this artifact and its steel container placed in safekeeping at the British Museum. Is that possible Dr. McFadden?"
"My heavens yes its more than possible. We've an armored vehicle and I'll call it now. If we're going out to dinner, we best not leave it without somebody watching out for it. If I remember correctly Matt you said the box or steel container was being shipped directly to my museum?"
"Yes it is being shipped directly to the museum. We thank you for taking precautionary care of the book. If you need a landline, the phones are over near the computers."
"Thanks but I'll use my moby," Mac said. In a few minutes he said, "The car is on the way. Traffic will be a bit heavy at this time of day, but I'd think 20 minutes would be about right. Meanwhile, I'll peruse the book if you don’t mind. I'd like to get a feel for the author."
Chapter Seven
The two stakeout guys were watching an armored truck pull up to the front of the building. Neither one said a word as they stared at the activity. Two guys with sawed off shotguns entered the building. Five minutes later they came down with one guard holding a box. It didn't appear heavy as the other guard banged on the back door. The back door opened and the guard with the box handed it to the inside guard. Both took a look around and got back into the armored car and left.
The tall one made a call on his mobile and reported what had transpired then hung up. Not long after the activity, five people exited the building. The short guy was snapping pictures as they waited for their van to arrive. He said, "Now there're two pretty ladies. I wonder who the odd man out is."
Jack Blake had taken the call from the stakeout men. He told James and James check Sir Edward's schedule. It appeared he was busy so they would inform him later. Jack said, "Care to speculate Brother James?"
Lost Continent Page 5
