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“There’s so else,” Pau said

“The chariot is cockeyed to the ramp,” Cassiopeia said

Malone saw that she was correct,it i with the raotiate the exit, the chariot would have to veer left

“I noticed that froes,” Pau said “For a people ere so careful with every aspect of design, that error could not have been unintentional”

“So the hole in the earthen wall, to the left of the chariot, is important?” Malone asked

Pau nodded “The designers sent aio, that chamber you see was rediscovered”

“Looks like a mess,” Viktor said

Malone, too, noticed the cables, shovels, rakes, and piles of dirt on either side of the opening, and what appeared to be a charred electrical box “More like a fire”

“Accidents do happen,” Pau said

But Malone was not fooled

“You knew the moment that chamber was found, didn’t you?”

“More i knew He was here, and he set the fire He intentionally destroyed Qin Shi’s imperial library”

Malone wanted to inquire further, but noas not the time “This place closes in forty-five minutes”

“We ,” Pau said

Malone again studied the layout Two additional ramps led down to the pit’s floor Both were blocked with chains that could easily be hopped At least four closed-circuit cah there were probably e that people atching, the ones out of sight providing the best views He counted six unifor the catwalk and God kne many plainclothes men scattered about The croas quiet and orderly

“We need a distraction,” he whispered

Cassiopeia nodded “I was thinking the sa”

“Be cautious,” Pau said “The security personnel here will react to anything rash”

“And if we’re caught?” Viktor asked

“Then we shall be arrested, and we can see if you are truly a friend or foe”

Malone liked that prospect regarding Viktor, though being detained in China sounded like a bad idea, especially given that they were here illegally and at least two of them were armed

“I’ll take care of the distraction,” Viktor said

“I thought you ht,” Malone said

“I have a feeling you three don’t wantanyway”

No, Malone thought, he didn’t

“I’ll be outside when you’re through hatever you plan on doing I’ll et arrested”

Viktor shuffled off, dissolving into the croorking his way to the other side of the catwalk

“We need to avoid the raave a slight th of chain blocked round before the caroup”

Pau and Cassiopeia nodded their assent

Malone carried the two flashlights inside a pack slung over one shoulder, colored in the arun remained nestled beneath his wet shirt

A shout rose in the hall

Malone saw Viktor flailing one ar out loud Chinese It appeared he’d taken offense to so one of the visitors had either said or done

Viktor shoved a man

More words

The crowd’s attention zeroed in on the disturbance, as did security All six unifor situation

Malone waited for the cale toward the excitement, then whispered, “Go”

Cassiopeia hopped the short length of chain and climbed down

Pau Wen followed