Now all he had to do was use the iron tip of the pickaxe to pull the stones toward him one by one. The opening was already large enough for him to enter, but by waiting, he could still cling to hope and delay the certainty of disappointment.
Finally, after renewed hesitation, Edmond entered the second chamber.
The second chamber was lower and gloomier than the first. The air, which could only enter through the newly formed opening, had the stale smell that Edmond was surprised he hadn't noticed in the outer cavern. He waited to let fresh air replace the stagnant atmosphere, then continued forward.
To the left of the opening was a dark, deep corner. But to Edmond's well-trained eyes, there was no real darkness. He looked around this second chamber, like the first, it appeared empty. If the treasure existed, it was buried in that corner.
