TAA i.12.08.recto

                                                                                   (8)

We cleared this steep descending passage, it took us three

days, when in the middle of the afternoon of the third day,

some nine metres down, the rubbish began to fall away from the

end and disclosed another sealed doorway. This sealed doorway

was an exact replica of the first, showing similar seal impres-

sions, and bearing similar traces of successive re-openings and

re-closings which coincided in position with the tunnel in the

filling of the passage and subsequent/<the> openings and <re->closings i/<o>n
first doorway.

          Slowly, desparately^sic slowly it seemed to us as we watched 

the remains of the passage rubbish that encumbered the lower

part of the doorway being removed, until atlast^sic we had the

whole door clear before us.

          t[?]/<T>he decisive moment had arrived. With almost trembling

hands I made a tiny breach in the upper left hand corner.

Darkness and blank space beyond told me that it was a chamber

we were about to penetrate. A lighted candle was then applied,

the ever necessary test and precaution against possible foul

gases, and then, widening the hole a little, I inserted the

candle and peered in.
 

          At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the

chamber caused the candle to flicker, gradually ones^sic eyes became     

accustomed to the dim light, details of the room within emerged

slowly, strange animals, statues, and gold – everywhere the

 glint of gold.

          For the moment – an eternity it must have seemed to others

standing by – I was amazed, when Lord Carnavon, unable to 

 stand the suspence^sic any longer, inquired anxiously, “Can you

 see anything?” it was [all] I could do to answer, “Yes, wonderful

 things.” Then widening the hole we entered.