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Pitt nodded "We'll know shortly"

Giordino tied one end of a nylon line around a large rock "Who gets the honor?"

"I'll toss you for it," said Pitt

"Heads"

Pitt flipped a quarter and watched as it clinked and spun to a stop on a small, flat surface between two massive boulders "Tails, you lose"

Giordino shrugged without complaint, knotted a loop and passed it over and then under Pitt's shoulders "Nevertricks I'll let you down, and I'll pull you up"

Pitt accepted the fact his friend's strength was greater than his own Giordino's body may have been short but his shoulders were as broad as any man's, and his muscled arms were a match for a professional wrestler Anyone who tried to throw Giordino, including karate black belt experts, felt as if they were caught up in the gears of an unyielding piece of machinery

"Mind you don't get rope burn," Pitt cautioned him

"Mind you don't break a leg, or I'll leave you for the gargoyle," said Giordino, handing Pitt the flashlight Then he slowly paid out the line, lowering Pitt between the walls of the narrow chute

When Pitt's feet touched the bottom, he looked up "Okay, I'm down"

"What do you see?"

"A sh I' in"

"Don't remove the rope There could be a sharp drop just inside the entrance"

Pitt lay on his stoht squeeze for 3 meters (10

feet) before the entryidened enough so he could stand He switched on the flashlight and swung its beaht showed he was at the head of a passageway that appeared to lead down into the bowels of the mountain The floor was smooth with steps hewn into the rock every few paces