They Found Atlantis lw-1 Read online

  Maya race of Central America however retained their

  hieroglyphic system until the Spanish Conquest.

  'Think now how laborious it must have been to convey a message by this picture writing once you passed out of the realm of material things into that of ideas. The number of drawings you would have to chip out of a piece of rock to convey even one sentence such as "The chief in this neighbourhood is a fool but his nephew the witch doctor is cunning,! therefore propitiate to flatter him while tricking the chief into agreeing to your demands."' Count Axel paused. 'But perhaps I bore you with all this?'

  'No, no,' the McKay lied politely, 'do go on.'

  'The time came when some long-forgotten genius conceived the possibility of utilising already established symbols to convey sounds instead of ideas. The human throat, lips and tongue are capable of producing about twenty distinct sounds and these formed the basis of the alphabet. The letters which have been added since, bringing the total number up to twenty-six, are more or less variations of the originals or interchangeable with them. T and D for example, or V and F, or I and J.

  'The alphabets of all European languages are, as you will know, derived from the Phoenician which, up to about four hundred years ago, was the only known archaic writing in the world based on sound and not picture drawing. If you will pause to think for a moment you will realise that the difference between the two—as a medium for the exchange of ideas—is stupendous.'

  The McKay, more interested now, nodded. 'Yes, I see that. It must have been as big an advance as from sail to steam in shipping—bigger in fact.'

  The waiter arrived with their drinks and the paper for Count Axel, who thanked him and went on:

  'Very well then. Now we come to a very interesting fact. A decade or two after Columbus discovered America Diego da Landa, who was the first Bishop of Yucatan, took the trouble to enquire from the Mayas he was seeking to convert to Christianity the meaning of the grotesque hieroglyphics which decorated all their monuments. They told him that it was a form of writing which their predecessors had handed down to them and, to his utter amazement, he

  found that they were not picture drawings conventionalised but the letters of a phonetic alphabet.

  'Now it was curious enough to find such a system in existence among the Mayas of Central America at all when all the great civilisations of Asia, Europe and Africa together had only succeeded in producing one—the Phoenician—but what is stranger still is that these two alphabets—the only ones of their kind—should bear an absolutely striking resemblance to each other.

  'Say you were faced with the task of selecting sixteen signs to represent the sixteen principal sounds—for that was the number in the Maya alphabet—the variety of combinations of lines and curves which you might use to denote each are almost inexhaustible. If a hundred men sat down to the job separately it is hardly conceivable that two of them would select the same sign for the same letter. Yet I can prove to you that thirteen signs out of sixteen in the two original phonetic alphabets have a distinct similarity of form.'

  The Count took up a pencil and drew rapidly on the paper . 'That is the hieroglyphic for H as given

  before him

  by De Landa in his Maya alphabet. Simplify it a little as people would do in the course of time if they were in a

  hurry and you get

  which is the hieroglyphic represent-

  , an even

  ing the sound CH in the Egyptian or this

  nearer form, which appears for H, in the archaic Greek and Hebrew. From that it is but a step to our modern symbol

  for the same sound. 'Take the Maya C which was drawn like this

  What is the essential characteristic of it which would come to be employed alone in course of time? Obviously the large

  single lower tooth

  . Well, that is the form in which the

  letter C was found by Dr. Schliemann in the inscriptions which he unearthed from the ruins of Troy. The archaic

  curved its point so that we use it thus

  . Later whei

  Greeks shortened one limb and wrote it

  the Greeks changed their manner of writing from right to left to our modern method of left to right they turned

  round all such signs as were reversible and altered it to

  The Romans made it

  then time and swifter writing

  'Now N which is an even clearer case. That sound in Maya

  was drawn

  . In early Phoenician we find it

  versed their writing it became

  and later

  . The Greeks wrote it

  and when they re

  as we use it today.

  'The Maya O bears little resemblance to our own at

  first sight

  , but what is the essential characteristic about

  it? Surely the circle within a circle at the bottom,

  . Then people began

  the inner circle became a mere dot

  to say, "Why bother about dotting your O's!"

  'One more example which we will approach from a slightly different angle. What, to your mind, does this

  represent?

  The McKay leaned over. 'A foot or footprint 1 should say.'

  whjch was the Phoenician form for that same sound. Later

  'Precisely, and the Maya word for footprint or path is pronounced "Be." Now see their hieroglyphic for the letter B. This time we have secured the essential characteristic by working from the opposite direction. It is the foot sign with the toes separated from it as a series of dots. Now behold the Egyptian hieroglyphic for the letter B—It is viewed from a different angle—but again we have a foot.'

  The Count leaned back and smiled. 'I could give you many more instances of a similar nature, but I feel that these are enough to prove my point."

  'You mean that it would be quite impossible for these two alphabets to have so many things in common and yet to have originated among two completely separate peoples.*

  'Exactly. It is utterly inconceivable that these, the only two systems in the world of conveying vocal sounds by written signs, did not spring from the same original source.'

  'Well, I'll grant you that.' The McKay's lined face broke into a broad grin. 'But what's all this got to do with Atlantis?'

  'Good God I My dear Captain. Think for a moment. If the two had a common origin where was it? Although both sets of hieroglyphics embody ideas which are common to both alphabets, no archaeologists in their diggings from Iceland to Cape Town or the jungles of Assam to the barren rocks of Patagonia have ever discovered the common root from which both must have sprung. Yet it must have taken thousands of years' thought and experiment among a highly civilised people to build up this unique system of vocal signs. Where did they live? Why have we found no single trace of their efforts to perfect this staggering invention when we can find cave drawings which must be of a far earlier date in every continent. They were the people of Atlantis of course, and when their whole country was submerged in some terrible cataclysm all the evidence of their gradual development to this high state of culture perished with them. That is the only possible explanation.'

  'It's a very forcible argument,' the McKay admitted, 'but-'

  His objection was cut short by Sally who arrived at that 28

  m

  j

  moment with Prince Vladimir behind her, Nicky having now secured Camilla from him.

  'Nelson Andy McKay, come and dance with me,' she cried gaily.

  'I'm too old for dancing,' he protested, 'you ought to know that by now.'

  'You're not too old to dance with me,' she laughed. 'We got on famously the other night. Come along—Admiral's orders.'

  'Drat the girl!' he exclaimed pushing back his chair and standing up with mock reluctance. His plea of advancing age was a well-worn pose. Actually he loved dancing and, given a good partner, could put up a very passable performance. With an old-fashioned little bow he offered Sally
his arm as he said: 'Well, the results to your feet must be upon your own head, m'dear,' and they passed into the dance-room.

  When they returned to the terrace Camilla and Nicky came out with them, and they found that Slinger and Doktor Tisch had joined the Roumanian and Count Axel at the table so the whole party was assembled again.

  Camilla now devoted her attention to the Count and, as the other two had basked equally in her favours, the latent jealousy which was ever liable to flame into bitter anger between the three was temporarily at rest. Sally and the McKay had laughed a lot during their two long dances together and the bald-headed Slinger, urbane as ever, was superintending the icing of two fresh magnums of champagne. Camilla's party was undoubtedly proving a great success. Only the little German Doctor remained silent and depressed.

  During his stroll with Siinger he had pressed for particulars of the dark business which was to be carried out on the trip, but Slinger had put him off with vague generalities and finally, the abrupt admonition that, once the job was done, he could go ahead with his scientific stuff—all expenses paid for as long as he liked, but if he wanted that, he'd best stay in his cabin and forget that Camilla and her friends even existed once they reached the Azores.

  It was eleven years since Doktor Tisch had dug up and deciphered that little cylinder of baked clay at Eridu on the Euphrates which, by bearings on fixed stars, gave the actual position of the great city that had once been the capital of the lost continent. With all the fanaticism of a scientist who lives for his work alone he had slaved ever since on the compilation of vast folios which would prove to an unbelieving world that Atlantis had actually existed in order that he might persuade some millionaire to finance an expedition for its rediscovery. After three years' search he had found Klemo Farquason. All preparations had been completed and then, a month ago, when he was waiting for Farquason to join him in Paris he had received a cable reporting the financier's collapse.

  His long-cherished hopes completely shattered by this blow he had poured out his woes to an old friend, who had suggested that the millionaire Duchess might be persuaded to take Farquason's place, and provided him an introduction to her satellite, Slinger. The shrewd confidential secretary had seen, in this projected expedition, just the opportunity he had been seeking for the carrying out of a plan which he had conceived in concert with a certain very powerful person in New York. Long cables had been exchanged in private code. New York approved. Slinger and the Doctor had met again, and the latter, in abject despair at the wrecking of his life work for the mere lack of money had been tempted into agreeing to bring his ship down to Madeira, to which the Duchess was proceeding, and where Slinger promised to persuade her to undertake the enterprise provided that the Doctor was prepared to close his eyes to anything unusual which might happen once she was on board.

  The Herr Doktor sipped his champagne and glanced across the table at his hostess. What did Slinger and his friends mean to do, he wondered, when they got this slim golden-haired young woman to his base in the Azores. The men of the party would endeavour to protect her, that was certain, and there were four of them—no three, the crooner could be counted out. Doktor Tisch did not take a good view of Nicky despite his Greek god profile: but the tall dark Roumanian appeared to have the strength and temper of a bull, the Swedish Count might prove a dangerous antagonist despite his frail scholarly appearance and the square-jawed British sailor looked the sort of person who would jump into a fight for the sheer love of the thing.

  Slinger had promised faithfully that there should be no bloodshed but the little Doctor found it difficult to place much trust in his word.

  Herr Doktor Tisch took another, longer pull from his big goblet and coughed a little. Then he endeavoured to solace himself with the thought that there were 1,600,000,000 men and women in the world's population so if the worst happened and there was a fracas, of what real importance was it that half a dozen of them might get hurt—providing that his epoch-making expedition was enabled to go on.

  The McKay Meets Heavy Weather in a Bullo-carro

  Shortly after, the party on the now moonlit terrace broke up once more. The two girls wished to dance again before the band stopped playing and the little Casino would be closing soon. Night life in Madeira is not prolonged into the small hours.

  Nicky grabbed Camilla before Prince Vladimir Renescu could ask her, and Sally insisted on the McKay taking her for another turn. Doktor Herman Tisch excused himself on the plea of fatigue and Slinger decided to return with him to the Hotel so the Roumanian and Count Axel Fersan were left to keep each other company.

  'It has been a day of excitements,' declared the Prince pouring himself another goblet of champagne.

  'It has indeed,' Count Axel agreed politely. He had little in common with either of his rivals to Camilla's hand and millions, but while he regarded Nicky as a nasty little bounder, the transparently simple good nature of the broad-shouldered young giant opposite rather appealed to him. He smiled his lazy, faintly supercilious smile into the Roumanian's flashing black-velvet eyes and went on amiably:

  'I consider this expedition to rediscover the lost continent of Atlantis a thing of quite exceptional interest.'

  'By crikey! You cannot believe in this sunken continent except as a thing of the imaginations surely.'

  'I certainly do.'

  'Mon Dieu! Count, no! It is a story for cocks and bulls

  only.'

  'You think so? Yet you were as eager as the rest of us to 32

  persuade Camilla into financing this expedition after lunch today.'

  The Prince threw back his dark curly head and gave a great guffaw of laughter. 'And for why not?' he asked spreading out his enormous hands. 'My bankers pester me ever with stupid cryings that I have not enough money. That would matter nothing if they would make remit—but they do not, pigs and liars that they are. This invitation from our so adorable Duchess come my anxieties for remits to relieve. Am I a half-bake that 1 say no. Besides—what opportunities! Before we reverse to harbour Camilla will be affianced to myself.'

  'Aren't you rather counting your chickens before they are hatched?' observed Count Axel mildly.

  'By crikey no!' exclaimed the Prince with cheerful boast-fulness, his dark eyes sparkling and his strong white even teeth flashing in a glorious smile. 'Myself I know. Our so adorable Duchess 1 know also. Behold then, it asks only time and place—you will see. When all is done I will make a great presentings to you, to show my esteems, for I like you Count. As for that Nicky I will give him a great kick in his so colourful pants.' Upon which declaration he happily tossed off a further ration of his so adorable Duchess' champagne.

  'Thanks, that's nice of you,' Count Axel murmured, then he added with mild cynicism: 'Since Camilla will have to pay for it in any case 1 am delighted to promise you a similar gift should my own fortunes with her prove better than you are inclined to think.'

  Vladimir shook his head. 'Ah Count, you are pleased to joke—but you will see. The wedding it shall be in my dear Roumania. There will be much dancing and many flowers. We will roast an ox for the people of my lands and get drunk ourselves on sweet sparkling wines—also the Tokay which my grandfather bring back when he was Ambassador to Vienna Court. This folly of Camilla's that she takes us all to seek a place that is not, in the Doctor's ship, is just what I have need to make settled my good plans.'

  'You are quite convinced that Atlantis never existed then?

  'No, no. Be wise—how could it?'

  Count Axel had no intention of going over the long t.f.a.—b 33

  exposition upon ancient languages to which he had treated the McKay. He doubted if this nice young giant had the brain to understand its importance, so he contented himself with saying:

  'The assumption that it did is no more wild than that the Sahara was once a great inland sea, a fact upon which all the leading geologists are now agreed.'

  'Ah, but that differs. If the coast barriers were broke down the desert Sahara
might become sea again. Somewhere I have read that to be so—but it would alter no how the levels of the land. To make believe that great pieces of territory can all suddenly jump out of the ocean or fall down beneath it is a story for cocks and bulls.'

  'Not at all,' declared Count Axel stung into argument despite himself. 'At one time the entire surface of Great Britain was submerged under water to a depth of at least 1,700 feet. Over its face was strewn thick beds of sand, gravel, and clay, which the geologists term "The Northern Drift". The land then rose again from the sea bearing those water deposits upon it. What is now Sicily once lay beneath the waters of the Mediterranean yet it subsequently rose to 3.000 feet above sea-level. Even in modern times there have occurred vast upheavals and subsidences. In 1783 Iceland sustained a colossal earthquake which killed one-fifth of its population and the disturbance in the whole area was thrown up near by. Its size was so considerable that the King of Denmark considered it worth claiming officially and he named it Nyoe. The Andes mountains in South America have sunk 220 feet in the last seventy years. The fort and village of Sindra on the eastern arm of the Indus were submerged by an earthquake in 1819 together with a tract of country 2,000 miles in extent. Such radical changes in the distribution of land and water have occurred throughout every century in the world's history and because the cataclysm that detroyed Atlantis chanced to be far greater than any disaster which has happened since that is no earthly reason for maintaining that the occurrence was a myth.'

  The Prince shrugged his broad shoulders. 'Really Count, it would be an ugliness for me to make argument facing as I do your high knowledge. Atlantis did exist then if it please you. To myself it counts no how except that from the strong interest the fat German holds in fossils I am given opportunity to speak of my mind to our so adorable Duchess. Permit me to brim your glass.'