Of the ancient population there was not a
trace left. Tom and his friends penetrated some
of the houses, but not so much as a bone or a
heap of mouldering dust showed where the
remains of the people were. Either they had fled
at the approaching doom of the city and were
buried elsewhere, or some strange fire or other
force of nature had consumed and obliterated
them.
"What a wealth of historic information I shall
find here!" murmured Professor Bumper, as he
caught sight of many inscriptions in strange
characters on the walls and buildings.
"I shall never get to the end of them."
"But what about the idol of gold?" asked Mr.
Damon, "Do you think you'll find that?"
"We must hurry on to the temple over there,"
said the scientist, indicating a building further along.
"And then we must see about rescuing your
rivals, Professor," put in Tom.
"Yes, Tom. But fortunately we are on the
ground here before them," agreed the professor.
Undoubtedly it was the chief temple, or place
of worship, of the long-dead race which the
explorers now entered. It was a building beautiful
in its barbaric style, and yet simple. There were
massive walls, and a great inner court, at the end
of which seemed to be some sort of altar. And
then, as they lighted fresh torches, and pressed
forward with them and their electric lights, they
saw that which caused a cry of satisfaction to
burst from all of them.
"The idol of gold!"
Yes, there it squatted, an ugly, misshapen,
figure, a cross between a toad and a gila monster,
half man, half beast, with big red eyes--rubies
probably--that gleamed in the repulsive golden
face.
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