“ Have a good night , and do let me know when you have acquired the statue , won ’ t you ?” he said .
I stepped back allowing him to leave . “ Of course I will . I should know something within the week . Goodnight Matthias , and do give Elizabeth my best .”
“ I will ,” he said , stepping out into a cold Philadelphia night . “ Goodnight .” And with that he turned and walked down the cobblestone path leading to the carriage that awaited him on the street . As he clambered in , he turned and waved to me . It was the last time I saw or spoke to Matthias Ardivan . Sometimes , it is hard to imagine that more than 200 years has passed since that fateful night .
His angered laugh echoed all around me , rebounding off the cold shadowy walls , assaulting my sensitive ears . It was as if there was more than just this one lone coward in the room with me , hiding ; the din of his evil cutting through the vastness like a death scythe through the soul . But , it was enough ; I knew precisely where the bastard was hiding .
“ I would never fear such as you , but I see no reason to waste my time either .” Damascus said in his lazy ‘ I-couldn ’ t-care-less ’ drawl . I wasn ’ t buying it in the least .
Sensing the opportunity rushing toward me , I pulled my silver dagger from its black leather sheath on my left leg , and the onyx handled sword from its place on my back ; both making the faintest hiss as they were released from their coverings . Moving quietly closer toward the panel I knew must be hidden in the wall , my senses began
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