Chapter 27 twenty two

Blake could hardly wait.He had been awake for hours, rummaging through the pages of Endymion.Spring, tried to uncover the secrets, but there was no new information.He and Dako had gotten up and dressed, and it was a long time before Mom joined them for breakfast.They almost ran to the Badri library, leaving Mom behind. What's the matter with you?Juliet.asked Winters, trying to keep up with them. Blake and Dako didn't say a word, but smiled at each other.Blake was encouraged by the book bouncing in the backpack, thrilled with anticipation despite an unconscious pang of fear.Pass through the 400-year-old gate and step into the asphalt-paved atrium, surrounded by ancient iron-plated gates and walls as tall as a fortress.A statue of the Earl of Pembroke stands proudly on a marble pedestal, where tourists have flocked to take photos.Blake pushed his way through a group of tourists to the entrance.He pulled up the heavy glass door and stepped inside.

He stopped in surprise. The room facing him was stately, well-lit, and had an ethereal, other-worldly air to it.Slender columns hold up an ornate roof covered with intricately carved leaves, plumes and angels, all carved from honey-coloured stone, bathing Oxford in a golden gleam.Elaborate stone-carved spheres hang from the ceiling like incredible stalactites. In the far corner is a large wooden chest, decorated with painted flowers and birds, and an intricate set of locks to enhance its structural security.Blake speculates that the chest once held valuables belonging to the University of Oxford while the library was expanding its collections.

Blake looked around in amazement, and it felt as if the time had gone back hundreds of years, to medieval Oxford.A thick smell of knowledge and knowledge permeated into his bones. To his right he can see a small souvenir shop full of book-related knick-knacks and cat-themed souvenirs for the modern tourist.To his left is the coat and bag locker, guarded by the first guard.In order to get more information and understand the planning of the library, Blake asked his mother carefully.It turns out that the library has two stairwells, each leading to a box-shaped reading room, where scholars do research.Both rooms are guarded by guards. When you go in, you have to check your library card, and when you come out, you have to ask them to confirm that the valuable collection of Oxford University has not disappeared.It wasn't as easy as he'd thought to sneak in without being noticed.

You'll meet me here in about two hours, Mom said, and then we can do something special.We will be closing early today. Don't worry, the brothers and sisters agreed, we won't run far. Mother became suspicious and examined them warily.Well, be careful.Saying that, he moved towards the south stairwell.She showed her library card to the guard and climbed the stairs. Mom walked up the stairs to the reading room on the top floor of the library, while Dako and Blake strolled past the souvenir shop, pretending to be interested in the auction items.There are book-themed tea cloths, scarves, ties, and more book-themed books.

In a neglected corner, behind a small desk, another guard sat, near the second stairwell, which disappeared into the gloom.The two children chose this place as their target.Fortunately, there were many tourists in the store as cover, and the two of them were like spies, flipping through posters and postcards, but keeping a cautious eye on the guard, trying to find an appropriate route to the library. Mom had told Blake that there was a special elevator in the north stairwell that carried books up and down the library all day long.Whenever someone in the reading room asks for a particular book, the mole-like librarian has to scurry down to find it among miles of shelves.Out of the corner of his eye Blake now glimpsed a rectangular shaft, enclosed in wire mesh.That must be the elevator that Mom mentioned.His heart beat faster with excitement.They are on the right track.

The guard was a sullen man with a short jaw and smoky hair, frowning at his watch, waiting for the break.A partially filled crossword puzzle lay out on the table in front of him. From time to time, students and scholars passed by, pulling out the trousers stuffed into the socks, and taking off the sturdy bicycle helmet that was worn on the head in the shape of a beetle.They showed the guard their library card and quickly went upstairs.Bags carried by people leaving the library are checked in case someone leaves with a rare book. After waiting for fifteen minutes, Dako approached Blake, she looked worried.

How are we going to get in?The man looked vicious, she said. Blake pretended to study a paperweight, the dark medieval writing beneath the glass like insects trapped in amber.He glanced at the guard, and saw that the guard rolled the newspaper into a stick shape, knocked on the side of the table, and there was a thermos cup standing on the small table beside him.Maybe there's going to be a shift change soon, and we can slip off then.He said. Dako doesn't seem convinced.Yeah?She sneered, is this your plan? Do you have a better plan? How would you like to borrow the restroom, please?She suggested that there must be a toilet inside.

She tucked her hands between her legs and jumped up and down. Do you need to go to the toilet? Well, I need to look real, don't I?Dako growled. Well, Blake said, skeptical, it's worth a try. The siblings went to the guard together, only to see the guard frowning at them.Only people with library cards can cross the line.He said it automatically, and then he opened the newspaper, trying to look busy. Can I borrow the restroom?Blake asked, pointing to Dako, she really needs to go. The guard pretended not to hear, reading the clues on the crossword puzzle in his hand, counting the squares, trying to come up with a matching word.

Please, Blake said, she was in a hurry. Da Ke clamped her legs tightly, showing a bitter face. The nearest public toilets are in the bookstore across the street, or around the corner of the traditional market.The guard said without raising his head. A student walked by, flashed his library card, and hurried upstairs.The two children watched her disappear enviously. Only people with library cards can cross the line.The guard read it again. Please, sir, this time Dako begging, I really need to pee.There was a pained look on her face.Even Blake was beginning to believe what she was saying.across the street or

If you're not careful, you'll pee here!Da Ke raised his voice to refute the opponent. The guard dropped his pen in shock and stared at the two children. Listen, Blake is trying to de-emphasize the situation, we can't leave the library, understand?Our mother was upstairs, doing research, and told us to stay where we were.When she comes back, she's going to freak out if the two of us don't stay here.Please, just a moment. Da Ke closed her eyes tightly, ready to attack.The man fidgeted and twisted around.please!Da Ke begged, I'll be fine soon! The guard looked at his watch and muttered, Oh, go then.He glanced at the steel thermos, just to hurry.In a few minutes, I will not be on duty.

I can go with her, if I can.Blake volunteered. okay.You two go quickly.the guard snapped.He herded the two children to the stairwell and pointed them in the right direction. The girls' bathroom was upstairs to the left, and the boys were downstairs, if you need to go there too, lad.Just don't tell anyone.In any case, don't go where you shouldn't go.This is not just losing my job. thank you, sir.The two agreed, so they parted ways and went their separate ways. One look at the wet and sticky toilet made Blake decide to stay outside and wait for Dako. He paced up and down the dimly lit corridor, avoiding the guards' sight, and walked behind the old elevator.From time to time, a dark box-shaped shadow would rise past, with a cable like a noose trailing behind it.Ghostly figures rose along the walls. There is a thick wooden door in the middle of the passage, with several iron bars tied on the front, which looks very old and daunting.A faded sign reads in black: THIS DOOR IS BLOCKED, implying that there is something important on the other side of the door. Blake's backpack tugged slightly, making him even more convinced.He had already hidden his backpack under his jacket, just in case the guards decided to search his bags.It felt like a firm hand was pulling him towards the entrance.Unmistakable: Endymion.Spring is guiding him. Blake decided to find out. He secretly grabbed the large iron doorknob and twisted it, wondering if this would trigger the alarm system, but nothing happened.The door swung open, effortlessly, as if it had been waiting for him.A whitewashed hallway sloped down from him like an industrial-era rabbit hole.His heart was beating wildly in his chest and his legs were shaking. Hearing the human voice, Blake quickly closed the door. In the souvenir shop outside, there was a red-haired young man who was changing shifts with the original guard on duty. He was chatting with a pair of tourists wearing a couple's windbreaker, with an amiable attitude.The two tourists poked their heads into the stairwell and asked about the library's holdings. There are millions of copies, the guard said, all on shelves in the basement. Blake quickly ducked behind the wire-meshed lift shaft, clasped his fingers, and prayed that the last guard forgot to mention that there were two kids in the toilet. He glanced at his watch.Sister has been in for a long time.What's holding her back? When it was too late, he heard light footsteps bouncing down from above. How did it take so long?Blake tore.Da Ke finally appeared, and she seemed very satisfied with herself.Blake grabbed Dako's elbow, avoiding the guard's sight. You should look upstairs, Dako said, with no apology, there was a wonderful blue and gold door behind it in a room with hundreds of old books.I mean very old, old books.It was like another world there.That room is probably Duke Humphrey I love it!She fingered the wire mesh, staring up into the gloom. Well, come on, Blake urged, I've found my way. Blake checked to make sure there was no one around, then slowly pushed open the door and stepped in. where are we going? down there.He pointed to a long white passage, his nerves tensed with excitement.Da Ke stepped in after him, and Blake quickly closed the door.The door clicked unexpectedly. He couldn't breathe.This time they really did.Not just sneaking around in the academy late at night, but trespassing on private property, breaking many rules.If they were caught, they would be in big trouble. But the book clearly guided him on this path.Blake felt the crackling of books in his backpack, longing to be set free. Endymion.Springer is going home.