Easy|NNP Money|NNP by|IN Bill|NNP Glover|NNP 
Charles|NNP Acres|NNP called|VBD me|PRP on|IN a|DT Thursday|NNP afternoon|NN ,|, just|RB like|IN that|DT .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB seen|VBN him|PRP since|IN high-school|NN ,|, maybe|RB twenty|CD years|NNS before|RB ,|, and|CC we|PRP were|VBD never|RB buddies|NNS in|IN the|DT first|JJ place|NN .|. 
He|PRP said|VBD he|PRP had|VBD a|DT "|'' business|NN proposition|NN "|'' for|IN me|PRP .|. 
So|IN I|PRP 'm|VBP thinking|VBG "|'' Amway|NNP ,|, "|'' and|CC I|PRP said|VBD so|RB .|. 
He|PRP sounded|VBD surprised|VBN and|CC said|VBN no|DT ,|, he|PRP needed|VBD me|PRP to|TO help|VB him|PRP get|VB rid|JJ of|IN "|'' a|DT large|JJ quantity|NN of|IN gold|NN .|. "|'' 
I|PRP told|VBD him|PRP I|PRP 'd|MD meet|VB him|PRP for|IN coffee|NN at|IN the|DT diner|NN down|RP the|DT street|NN at|IN seven|CD .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD there|RB early|JJ .|. 

"|'' Thank|VB you|PRP for|IN coming|VBG ,|, Ed|NNP .|. 
"|'' he|PRP was|VBD already|RB there|RB ,|, sitting|VBG in|IN a|DT booth|NN ,|, warming|VBG his|PRP$ hands|NNS on|IN a|DT cup|NN of|IN coffee|NN .|. 
He|PRP looked|VBD like|IN jerked|JJ meat|NN on|IN the|DT bone|NN .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD wearing|VBG a|DT new|JJ jacket|NN and|CC snow|NN boots|NNS ,|, but|CC he|PRP had|VBD on|IN a|DT Hawaiian|JJ shirt|NN underneath|IN and|CC khaki|JJ shorts|NNS of|IN all|DT things|NNS .|. 
His|PRP$ tan|NN was|VBD obviously|RB deep|JJ and|CC old|JJ ,|, but|CC it|PRP looked|VBD like|IN a|DT work|NN tan|NN ,|, not|RB the|DT kind|NN you|PRP get|VBP at|IN the|DT beach|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ hands|NNS were|VBD thin|JJ and|CC huge|JJ knuckled|JJ with|IN obvious|JJ callouses|NNS .|. 

"|'' So|RB ,|, the|DT mining|NN business|NN is|VBZ treating|VBG you|PRP pretty|RB good|JJ ,|, huh|NN Charles|NNP ?|. 
"|'' he|PRP was|VBD n't|RB the|DT sort|NN you|PRP 'd|MD call|VB "|'' Chuck|NNP .|. "|'' 

"|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP a|DT linguistics|NNS researcher|NN ,|, Ed|NNP .|. 
"|'' He|PRP took|VBD a|DT sip|NN and|CC closed|VBD his|PRP$ eyes|NNS like|IN the|DT cheap|JJ cup|NN of|IN coffee|NN was|VBD really|RB something|NN special|JJ .|. 
"|'' Well|RB I|PRP was|VBD a|DT researcher|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP taught|VBD a|DT little|JJ at|IN a|DT community|NN college|NN .|. 
"|'' He|PRP set|VBD the|DT cup|NN down|RB and|CC looked|VBD straight|JJ at|IN me|PRP for|IN the|DT first|JJ time|NN .|. 
"|'' How|WRB 's|POS your|PRP$ um|UH ...|... business|NN ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Fine|NNP .|. 
"|'' I|PRP waived|VBD down|RP a|DT waitress|NN and|CC ordered|VBD a|DT cup|NN of|IN decaf|NN and|CC a|DT slice|NN of|IN pie|NN .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB like|VB his|PRP$ tone|NN much|JJ .|. 
"|'' So|IN you|PRP sure|JJ you|PRP 're|VBP not|RB a|DT cop|NN ,|, Charles|NNP ?|. "|'' 
I|PRP stared|VBD him|PRP down|RB until|IN he|PRP flinched|JJ .|. 
As|IN I|PRP did|VBD ,|, I|PRP noticed|VBD just|RB how|WRB tired|JJ he|PRP looked|VBD around|IN the|DT eyes|NNS .|. 
Charlie|NNP Boy|NNP had|VBD been|VBN working|VBG hard|JJ lately|RB ,|, I|PRP figured|VBD .|. 
I|PRP knew|VBD every|DT cop|NN in|IN Fairport|NNP and|CC quite|RB a|DT few|JJ of|IN the|DT state|NN police|NNS in|IN Iowa|NNP ,|, and|CC I|PRP could|MD n't|RB see|VB them|PRP bringing|VBG old|JJ Charles|NNP in|IN as|IN a|DT ringer|NN .|. 

"|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB a|DT cop|NN 
.|. "|'' He|PRP sighed|VBD and|CC went|VBD on|IN in|IN softer|JJR ,|, sadder|JJR voice|NN ,|, "|'' I|PRP guess|VBP I|PRP 'm|VBP a|DT thief|NN now|RB .|. "|'' 

"|'' Hold|VB it|PRP .|. 
"|'' I|PRP looked|VBD around|IN .|. 
Charles|NNP might|MD be|VB for|IN real|JJ ,|, but|CC he|PRP was|VBD still|RB going|VBG to|TO get|VB me|PRP in|IN deep|JJ trouble|NN .|. 
"|'' Let|VB 's|POS make|VB real|JJ clear|JJ right|RB now|RB that|IN you|PRP were|VBD joking|VBG ,|, buddy|NN .|. 
Otherwise|RB this|DT conversation|NN is|VBZ over|IN .|. 
I|PRP 've|VBP got|VBN a|DT parole|NN officer|NN to|TO explain|VB things|NNS to|TO ,|, and|CC he|PRP would|MD n't|RB like|VB that|DT kinda|NN talk|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Right|RB .|. 
Right|RB .|. 
Sorry|JJ .|. 
"|'' Charles|NNP looked|VBD out|RP the|DT window|NN at|IN the|DT passing|JJ traffic|NN push|NN through|IN dirty|JJ slush|NN for|IN awhile|RB .|. 
"|'' Like|IN I|PRP was|VBD saying|VBG .|. 
I|PRP 'm|VBP a|DT researcher|NN ,|, I|PRP 've|VBP come|VBN into|IN some|DT valuable|JJ material|NN that|IN I|PRP would|MD like|VB to|TO find|VB a|DT buyer|NN for|IN ,|, and|CC I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB want|VB to|TO have|VB to|TO explain|VB myself|PRP to|TO anyone|NN .|. 
"|'' 
The|DT pie|NN came|VBD and|CC I|PRP waited|VBD until|IN the|DT waitress|NN was|VBD gone|VBN ,|, before|IN going|VBG on|IN ,|, "|'' Why|WRB me|PRP ?|. "|'' 

"|'' You|PRP always|RB seemed|VBD to|TO have|VB '|POS connections|NNS '|POS in|IN school|NN ,|, "|'' he|PRP shrugged|VBD .|. 
"|'' You|PRP were|VBD the|DT first|JJ person|NN who|WP came|VBD to|TO mind|VB .|. 
"|'' 
First|CD person|NN ?|. 
Twenty|CD years|NNS out|IN of|IN high|JJ school|NN ?|. 
If|IN he|PRP pulled|VBD my|PRP$ leg|NN any|DT harder|RBR it|PRP was|VBD coming|VBG off|RP .|. 
"|'' How|WRB much|JJ of|IN this|DT '|POS valuable|JJ material|NN '|'' are|NN we|PRP talking|VBG about|RP ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Four|CD Hundred|NNP ounces|NNS for|IN a|DT start|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Four|CD Hundred|NNP .|. 
"|'' I|PRP pulled|VBD out|RP my|PRP$ palm|NN phone|NN and|CC looked|VBD up|RP a|DT number|NN .|. 
"|'' That|DT 's|VBZ alot|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' It|PRP 's|VBZ a|DT very|RB small|JJ part|NN of|IN what|WP I|PRP have|VBP to|TO sell|VB .|. 
"|'' He|PRP drained|VBN the|DT last|NN of|IN his|PRP$ cup|NN and|CC tossed|VBD some|DT bills|NNS on|IN the|DT table|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP staying|VBG in|IN town|NN .|. 
Let|VB me|PRP show|VBP you|PRP something|NN .|. 
"|'' 
I|PRP thought|VBD about|IN it|PRP and|CC made|VBD a|DT quick|JJ call|NN ,|, just|RB telling|VBG a|DT buddy|NN that|IN I|PRP was|VBD "|'' postponing|VBG our|PRP$ meeting|NN ,|, "|'' for|IN a|DT couple|NN of|IN hours|NNS ,|, meaning|VBG he|PRP should|MD come|VB looking|VBG for|IN me|PRP if|IN I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB show|VB up|RP .|. 
Charles|NNP might|MD not|RB look|VB like|IN much|JJ ,|, but|CC I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB made|VBN it|PRP through|IN my|PRP$ life|NN taking|VBG that|DT kind|NN of|IN chance|NN .|. 
I|PRP put|VBP away|RB the|DT cell|NN and|CC used|VBD the|DT motion|NN to|TO cover|VB checking|VBG the|DT knife|NN in|IN my|PRP$ sleeve|NN and|CC used|VBN one|CD leg|NN to|TO check|VB the|DT other|JJ in|IN my|PRP$ sock|VB .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD been|VBN an|DT amateur|JJ magician|NN for|IN years|NNS .|. 
One|CD of|IN my|PRP$ best|JJS tricks|NNS was|VBD pulling|VBG a|DT knife|NN out|IN of|IN thin|JJ air|NN .|. 
It|PRP never|RB failed|VBD to|TO amaze|VB .|. 
"|'' Sure|RB .|. 
Let|VB 's|PRP go|VB ,|, "|'' I|PRP said|VBD .|. 

We|PRP took|VBD his|PRP$ rental|JJ car|NN back|RB to|TO the|DT motel|NN where|WRB he|PRP was|VBD staying|VBG .|. 
The|DT little|JJ desk|NN was|VBD covered|VBN with|IN large|JJ books|NNS filled|VBN with|IN sticky|JJ notes|NNS ,|, a|DT pile|NN of|IN folders|NNS and|CC papers|NNS and|CC a|DT laptop|NN computer|NN plugged|VBD into|IN the|DT phone|NN line|NN .|. 
There|EX was|VBD only|RB one|CD chair|NN ,|, so|IN I|PRP sat|VBD on|IN the|DT edge|NN of|IN the|DT bed|NN as|IN he|PRP handed|VBD me|PRP a|DT book|NN open|JJ to|TO a|DT picture|NN of|IN some|DT sort|NN of|IN stone|NN tablet|NN .|. 

"|'' Rapa|NNP Nui|NNP ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' Easter|NNP Island|NNP .|. 
This|DT codex|NN is|VBZ one|CD of|IN the|DT few|JJ remaining|VBG examples|NNS of|IN a|DT form|NN of|IN writing|VBG known|VBN as|IN '|POS rongorongo|NN .|. 
'|POS For|IN a|DT long|JJ time|NN no|DT one|CD was|VBD able|JJ to|TO decipher|NN it|PRP ,|, although|IN by|IN deduction|NN ,|, Steven|NNP Fischer|NNP deciphered|JJ some|DT of|IN it|PRP in|IN nineteen|NN ninety|CD four|CD .|. 
He|PRP mostly|RB read|VBP creation|NN stories|NNS off|RP objects|NNS like|IN the|NNP '|POS Santiago|NNP Staff|NNP '|POS which|WDT said|VBD things|NNS like|IN ,|, '|'' All|DT the|DT birds|NNS copulated|JJ with|IN fish|NN :|: There|EX issued|VBN forth|RB the|DT sun|NN .|. 
'|POS But|CC he|PRP ignored|VBD the|DT inscriptions|NNS on|IN skulls|NNS and|CC the|NNP '|POS Birdman|NNP '|POS statuette|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD those|DT clues|NNS that|WDT started|VBD all|DT of|IN this|DT .|. 
"|'' My|PRP$ small|JJ expectations|NNS shrank|VBD as|IN he|PRP spoke|VBD .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB see|VB much|JJ money|NN in|IN hieroglyphic|JJ porn|NN .|. 
He|PRP talked|VBD on|IN about|IN people|NNS with|IN long|JJ ears|NNS who|WP built|VBD the|DT big|JJ statues|NNS ,|, the|DT "|'' moai|NN "|'' and|CC people|NNS with|IN short|JJ ears|NNS who|WP conquered|JJ the|DT people|NNS with|IN long|JJ ears|NNS and|CC ate|VBD them|PRP and|CC how|WRB the|DT short|JJ eared|JJ people|NNS did|VBD n't|RB really|RB know|VB the|DT secrets|NNS of|IN the|DT long|JJ ears|NNS and|CC had|VBD pulled|VBN down|RP all|PDT the|DT moai|NN statues|NNS and|CC destroyed|VBD some|DT of|IN the|DT tablets|NNS .|. 
And|CC how|WRB the|DT missionaries|NNS came|VBD and|CC the|DT converted|JJ natives|NNS had|VBD destroyed|VBN more|JJR .|. 
He|PRP flipped|VBD pages|NNS to|TO another|DT image|NN ,|, "|'' But|CC notice|NN something|NN here|RB in|IN the|DT arrangement|NN of|IN the|DT moai|NN .|. 
See|VB here|RB how|WRB they|PRP form|VBP a|DT pattern|NN ,|, very|RB similar|JJ to|TO this|DT ?|. 
"|'' He|PRP pulled|VBD out|RP a|DT small|JJ leather|NN diary|NN and|CC opened|VBD it|PRP to|TO a|DT yellowed|JJ page|NN marked|VBD with|IN yet|RB another|DT small|JJ sticky|JJ note|NN .|. 
There|EX was|VBD an|DT ink|NN drawing|VBG and|CC writing|VBG in|IN a|DT tiny|JJ neat|JJ hand|NN that|IN I|PRP could|MD n't|RB read|VB from|IN where|WRB I|PRP sat|VBD .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB see|VB much|JJ resemblance|NN except|IN maybe|RB there|EX were|VBD about|IN the|DT same|JJ number|NN of|IN points|NNS in|IN the|DT cat|NN 's|POS cradle|NN thing|NN in|IN the|DT diary|NN and|CC the|DT number|NN of|IN dots|NNS on|IN the|DT map|NN showing|VBG places|NNS where|WRB statues|NNS stood|VBD in|IN a|DT thin|JJ line|NN around|IN the|DT coast|NN of|IN the|DT island|NN .|. 
"|'' This|DT is|VBZ the|DT diary|NN of|IN a|DT mysterious|JJ explorer|NN named|VBD Samuel|NNP Curlew|NNP who|WP investigated|VBD a|DT Mound|NNP Builder|NNP site|NN in|IN this|DT area|NN in|IN the|DT early|JJ eighteen|NN hundreds|NNS .|. 
"|'' He|PRP closed|VBD the|DT little|JJ book|NN and|CC just|RB about|IN hugged|VBD it|PRP with|IN satisfaction|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP want|VBP to|TO show|VB you|PRP that|DT mound|NN .|. 
You|PRP know|VBP it|PRP was|VBD these|DT very|JJ mounds|NNS that|WDT originally|RB sparked|VBN my|PRP$ interest|NN in|IN history|NN ,|, archeology|NN and|CC then|RB linguistics|NNS .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' And|CC this|DT mound|NN is|VBZ where|WRB you|PRP found|VBD gold|NN ?|. 
"|'' I|PRP was|VBD confused|VBN enough|RB I|PRP let|VBP the|DT "|'' G|NNP word|NN "|'' slip|VB .|. 
Was|VBD this|DT some|DT crazy|JJ treasure|NN hunt|NN ?|. 
Or|CC maybe|RB this|DT guy|NN was|VBD just|RB a|DT wacko|NN who|WP wanted|VBD to|TO take|VB me|PRP out|IN on|IN a|DT dark|JJ road|NN and|CC kill|VB me|PRP .|. 

"|'' No|DT ,|, it|PRP 's|VBZ more|RBR complicated|JJ than|IN that|DT ,|, but|CC I|PRP need|VBP to|TO show|VB you|PRP the|DT mound|NN for|IN you|PRP to|TO understand|VB .|. 
"|'' The|DT drawings|NNS and|CC the|DT books|NNS seemed|VBD to|TO wake|NN him|PRP up|RP .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD smiling|VBG now|RB and|CC his|PRP$ eyes|NNS were|VBD n't|RB so|RB tired|JJ .|. 

I|PRP was|VBD having|VBG serious|JJ cash|NN flow|NN issues|NNS back|RB then|RB and|CC had|VBD payments|NNS to|TO make|VB ,|, so|IN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' yes|UH ,|, "|'' but|CC my|PRP$ patience|NN was|VBD running|VBG out|RP .|. 

It|PRP was|VBD dark|JJ as|IN we|PRP left|VBD .|. 
The|DT drive|NN was|VBD shorter|JJR than|IN I|PRP expected|VBD .|. 
We|PRP pulled|VBD up|IN to|TO a|DT little|JJ asphalt|NN parking|NN spot|NN in|IN front|NN of|IN a|DT historical|JJ marker|NN .|. 
When|WRB he|PRP killed|VBD the|DT headlights|NNS there|RB was|VBD no|DT light|NN but|CC moonlight|NN and|CC stars|NNS on|IN a|DT light|JJ dusting|VBG of|IN snow|NN .|. 
A|DT low|JJ ,|, black|JJ hill|NN blocked|VBD the|DT sky|NN right|NN in|IN front|NN of|IN us|PRP .|. 
"|'' It|PRP 's|VBZ up|RB here|RB ,|, "|'' he|PRP announced|VBD stepping|VBG over|IN the|DT cable|NN fence|NN and|CC starting|VBG up|RP the|DT hill|NN .|. 
We|PRP spent|VBD the|DT next|JJ hour|NN stomping|VBG around|IN the|DT hill|NN while|IN he|PRP said|VBD things|NNS like|IN ,|, "|'' it|PRP was|VBD right|RB here|RB .|. "|'' 

My|PRP$ patience|NN was|VBD long|RB gone|VBN ,|, and|CC I|PRP was|VBD back|RB in|IN the|DT car|NN to|TO warming|NN up|RP when|WRB Acres|NNP tapped|VBD on|IN the|DT window|NN and|CC told|VBD me|PRP he|PRP had|VBD found|VBN whatever|WDT he|PRP was|VBD looking|VBG for|IN .|. 
We|PRP trudged|JJ back|RB up|RP the|DT hill|NN and|CC he|PRP led|VBD me|PRP to|TO little|JJ patch|NN of|IN ground|NN with|IN a|DT stick|NN poking|VBG up|RP from|IN it|PRP .|. 
It|PRP looked|VBD like|IN a|DT bamboo|NN walking|VBG stick|NN .|. 
"|'' This|DT is|VBZ it|PRP ,|, "|'' he|PRP leaned|VBD down|RB and|CC motioned|JJ for|IN me|PRP to|TO look|VB at|IN something|NN on|IN the|DT ground|NN .|. 
I|PRP casually|RB slid|VBD a|DT knife|NN into|IN my|PRP$ palm|NN just|RB in|IN case|NN .|. 
"|'' See|VB how|WRB the|DT lines|NNS form|VBP the|DT pattern|NN in|IN the|DT journal|NN ,|, the|DT same|JJ one|CD as|IN the|DT moai|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' So|IN you|PRP drew|VBD this|DT ?|. "|'' I|PRP asked|VBD vaguely|RB ,|, slow|JJ to|TO catch|VB on|IN .|. 

He|PRP looked|VBD hurt|VBN and|CC rapped|JJ on|IN the|DT ground|NN with|IN his|PRP$ finger|NN .|. 
"|'' It|PRP 's|VBZ stone|NN .|. 
Ancient|NNP .|. 
"|'' He|PRP stood|VBD up|RP using|VBG the|DT stick|NN to|TO help|VB .|. 
For|IN the|DT first|JJ time|NN he|PRP looked|JJ cold|JJ and|CC stiff|JJ in|IN his|PRP$ tourist|NN gear|NN ,|, making|VBG me|PRP glad|JJ I|PRP was|VBD in|IN a|DT suit|NN .|. 
"|'' Here|RB stand|VB beside|IN me|PRP ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
"|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB sure|JJ if|IN I|PRP can|MD take|VB you|PRP with|IN me|PRP so|IN I|PRP need|VBP to|TO show|VB you|PRP the|DT device|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Device|NN ?|. 
"|'' I|PRP expected|VBD him|PRP to|TO pull|VB out|RP a|DT gadget|NN with|IN blinking|RB lights|NNS and|CC was|VBD wondering|VBG which|WDT way|NN to|TO duck|VB .|. 

"|'' Trick|NNP ,|, gesture|NN .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ like|IN sleight|NN of|IN hand|NN .|. 
"|'' He|PRP wriggled|JJ his|PRP$ fingers|NNS and|CC then|RB blew|VBD on|IN them|PRP .|. 
"|'' OK|JJ ,|, watch|VB and|CC remember|VB this|DT .|. 
I|PRP 'm|VBP going|VBG to|TO do|VB it|PRP in|IN two|CD parts|NNS ,|, last|JJ part|NN first|RB so|IN it|PRP wo|MD n't|RB take|VB effect|NN .|. 
Remember|VB to|TO reverse|VB the|DT two|CD parts|NNS when|WRB you|PRP actually|RB do|VBP it|PRP .|. 
"|'' Stunned|VBN I|PRP watched|VBD as|IN he|PRP made|VBD several|JJ ridiculous|JJ passes|NNS with|IN his|PRP$ hands|NNS paused|VBD and|CC nodded|JJ then|RB did|VBD a|DT sort|NN of|IN sign|NN language|NN stutter|NN of|IN some|DT sort|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP learned|VBD this|DT from|IN a|DT skull|NN shard|NN rongorongo|NN ,|, they|PRP are|VBP n't|RB all|DT writing|VBG language|NN .|. 
Some|DT are|VBP just|RB a|DT memory|NN device|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Mnemonic|NNP .|. "|'' I|PRP muttered|JJ ,|, which|WDT seemed|VBD to|TO please|VB him|PRP .|. 

"|'' Yes|UH .|. 
They|PRP help|VBP in|IN remembering|VBG steps|NNS in|IN a|DT ritual|NN or|CC ceremonial|JJ gestures|NNS .|. 
There|EX 's|VBZ a|DT long|JJ history|NN of|IN Polynesian|NNP gesture|NN and|CC dance|NN language|NN .|. 
Now|RB you|PRP do|VBP it|PRP .|. 
"|'' He|PRP smiled|VBD and|CC I|PRP could|MD see|VB his|PRP$ teeth|NNS in|IN the|DT moonlight|NN .|. 

I|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO slug|NN him|PRP ,|, but|CC he|PRP had|VBD the|DT keys|NNS to|TO the|DT car|NN back|RB and|CC I|PRP figured|VBD I|PRP 'd|MD humor|NN him|PRP while|IN I|PRP figured|VBD out|IN how|WRB to|TO get|VB them|PRP without|IN violating|VBG my|PRP$ parole|NN .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB have|VB much|JJ trouble|NN duplicating|VBG his|PRP$ hand|NN waving|VBG even|RB though|IN I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB paid|VBN much|JJ attention|NN .|. 
I|PRP even|RB swapped|VBN the|DT two|CD parts|NNS as|IN he|PRP had|VBD asked|VBN .|. 
I|PRP thought|VBD he|PRP was|VBD surprised|VBN at|IN my|PRP$ dexterity|NN when|WRB his|PRP$ jaw|NN dropped|VBD ,|, but|CC he|PRP shouted|VBD ,|, "|'' No|UH !|. "|'' just|RB before|IN everything|NN changed|VBN .|. 

I|PRP was|VBD standing|VBG on|IN a|DT perfectly|RB flat|JJ square|NN of|IN dark|JJ stone|NN .|. 
For|IN as|RB far|RB as|IN I|PRP could|MD see|VB by|IN a|DT weak|JJ ,|, gray|JJ light|VB the|DT stone|NN stepped|VBD up|RB and|CC down|RB making|VBG little|JJ hills|NNS and|CC terraces|NNS and|CC platforms|NNS .|. 
I|PRP seemed|VBD to|TO be|VB somewhere|RB in|IN the|DT middle|JJ --|: there|RB was|VBD as|IN much|RB above|IN as|IN below|IN .|. 
The|DT sky|NN was|VBD dull|JJ and|CC featureless|JJ and|CC overcast|NN .|. 
The|DT air|NN smelled|VBD bad|JJ in|IN some|DT way|NN I|PRP ca|MD n't|RB describe|VB ,|, and|CC at|IN my|PRP$ feet|NNS I|PRP could|MD see|VB the|DT same|JJ design|NN from|IN the|DT little|JJ journal|NN and|CC the|DT mound|NN carved|VBN into|IN the|DT rock|NN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD in|IN shock|NN .|. 
The|DT blood|NN pounded|VBN in|IN my|PRP$ head|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP just|RB stood|VBD there|EX blinking|RB and|CC listening|VBG to|TO a|DT sort|NN of|IN ringing|VBG whine|NN in|IN my|PRP$ ears|NNS .|. 

The|DT next|JJ moment|NN ,|, Acres|NNP was|VBD there|RB .|. 
Hands|NNP up|RB in|IN the|DT same|JJ way|NN mine|NN were|VBD frozen|VBN .|. 
We|PRP just|RB looked|VBD at|IN each|DT other|JJ .|. 
I|PRP guess|VBP ,|, thinking|VBG back|RB ,|, I|PRP might|MD have|VB expected|VBD him|PRP to|TO gloat|VB ,|, but|CC the|DT view|NN was|VBD the|DT kind|NN of|IN thing|NN that|IN humbles|NNS you|PRP ,|, shuts|VBZ your|PRP$ mouth|NN .|. 
We|PRP just|RB stood|VBD looking|VBG at|IN each|DT other|JJ for|IN a|DT little|JJ while|IN ,|, I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB how|WRB long|JJ .|. 

"|'' What|WP is|VBZ it|PRP ?|. "|'' was|VBD all|DT I|PRP could|MD think|VB to|TO say|VB .|. 

Acres|NNP just|RB shrugged|VBD .|. 
"|'' A|DT place|NN .|. 
I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB .|. 
I|PRP think|VBP this|DT whole|JJ thing|NN ,|, "|'' he|PRP waved|VBD his|PRP$ hand|NN at|IN the|DT horizon|NN ,|, "|'' is|VBZ one|CD big|JJ machine|NN .|. 
And|CC the|DT markers|NNS were|VBD carved|VBN later|RB ,|, not|RB be|VB whoever|WP built|VBD it|PRP .|. 
The|DT markers|NNS are|VBP places|NNS where|WRB it|PRP 's|VBZ safe|JJ to|TO come|VB here|RB and|CC leave|VB .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Safe|NNP ?|. 
"|'' I|PRP looked|VBD around|IN .|. 
One|CD thing|NN this|DT place|NN did|VBD n't|RB seem|VB was|VBD safe|JJ .|. 

"|'' Let|VB me|PRP show|VBP you|PRP the|DT rest|NN .|. 
"|'' He|PRP started|VBD walking|VBG down|RP the|DT steps|NNS and|CC around|IN a|DT corner|NN .|. 
It|PRP would|MD have|VB taken|VBN plenty|NN to|TO surprise|VB me|PRP after|IN what|WP I|PRP had|VBD already|RB seen|VBN ,|, but|CC My|PRP$ jaw|NN was|VBD banging|VBG against|IN my|PRP$ shoelaces|NNS when|WRB I|PRP rounded|JJ that|DT corner|NN .|. 

I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB sure|JJ how|WRB something|NN so|IN big|JJ could|MD have|VB been|VBN hidden|VBN by|IN that|DT little|JJ turn|NN in|RP landscape|NN ,|, but|CC maybe|RB perspective|NN does|VBZ n't|RB work|VB quite|RB the|DT same|JJ there|RB .|. 
Glaring|NNP down|RB at|IN me|PRP from|IN no|RB more|JJR than|IN twenty|CD feet|NNS away|RB was|VBD a|DT grimacing|VBG ,|, thirty|CD foot|NN tall|JJ black|JJ face|NN with|IN staring|JJ ,|, blue|JJ and|CC white|JJ eyes|NNS and|CC it|PRP wore|VBD a|DT ridiculous|JJ little|JJ hat|NN .|. 
For|IN some|DT reason|NN I|PRP thought|VBD of|IN a|DT giant|JJ clown|NN face|NN from|IN a|DT carnival|NN ride|NN ,|, but|CC it|PRP scared|VBD the|DT hell|NN out|IN me|PRP .|. 
Acres|NNP stood|VBD beside|IN it|PRP and|CC somehow|RB using|VBG him|PRP as|IN a|DT yardstick|NN for|IN the|DT scale|NN of|IN the|DT thing|NN made|VBD it|PRP easier|JJR to|TO see|VB .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD a|DT moai|NN .|. 
He|PRP had|VBD a|DT serious|JJ ,|, sincere|JJ look|NN on|IN his|PRP$ face|NN and|CC he|PRP was|VBD pointing|VBG to|TO the|DT ground|NN .|. 
"|'' This|DT is|VBZ what|WP I|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO show|VB you|PRP .|. 
"|'' 
I|PRP looked|VBD down|RB and|CC saw|VBD he|PRP was|VBD pointing|VBG to|TO another|DT marker|NN just|RB slightly|RB different|JJ from|IN the|DT one|CD we|PRP had|VBD just|RB left|VBN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD pretty|RB rattled|VBN ,|, but|CC things|NNS fell|VBD together|RB for|IN me|PRP looking|VBG at|IN the|DT big|JJ statue|NN ,|, the|DT Hawaiian|JJ shirt|NN and|CC the|DT mark|NN on|IN the|DT ground|NN .|. 
"|'' Easter|NNP Island|NNP ?|. 
"|'' 
Acres|NNP nodded|JJ .|. 

It|PRP was|VBD all|DT too|RB much|JJ for|IN me|PRP so|IN I|PRP focused|VBD on|IN the|DT part|NN I|PRP could|MD handle|VB .|. 
"|'' So|RB what|WP does|VBZ this|DT have|VB to|TO do|VB with|IN gold|NN ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' You|PRP could|MD step|VB on|IN that|DT marker|NN and|CC make|VB the|DT gestures|NNS ,|, the|NNP '|POS device|NN ,|, '|'' and|CC it|PRP would|MD be|VB like|IN pushing|VBG a|DT button|NN in|IN a|DT very|RB complex|JJ machine|NN .|. 
You|PRP would|MD end|VB up|RB on|IN a|DT small|JJ hill|NN on|IN Rapa|NNP Nui|NNP .|. 
You|PRP could|MD step|VB three|CD feet|NNS to|TO the|DT right|NN and|CC do|VBP the|DT same|JJ thing|NN ,|, and|CC you|PRP would|MD end|VB up|RB buried|VBD alive|JJ in|IN a|DT nearby|JJ rock|NN face|NN .|. 
But|CC I|PRP know|VBP how|WRB to|TO make|VB it|PRP take|VB me|PRP anywhere|RB .|. 
"|'' He|PRP pulled|VBD a|DT sheet|NN of|IN folded|JJ paper|NN from|IN his|PRP$ pocket|NN and|CC handed|VBD it|PRP to|TO me|PRP .|. 
It|PRP read|VBP ,|, "|'' Department|NNP of|IN the|DT Treasury|NNP ,|, Financial|NNP Management|NNP Service|NNP ,|, Status|NNP Report|NNP of|IN U.S.|NNP Treasury-|NNP Owned|NNP Gold|NNP .|. "|'' 
He|PRP pointed|VBD to|TO a|DT row|NN that|WDT read|VBP ,|, "|'' Deep|NNP Storage|NNP :|: Fort|NNP Knox|NNP ,|, KY|NNP .|. "|'' 

I|PRP sucked|JJ in|IN a|DT whole|JJ lot|NN of|IN air|NN .|. 
"|'' Anywhere|NNP ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Anywhere|NNP ,|, "|'' he|PRP walked|VBD around|IN the|DT moai|NN and|CC came|VBD back|RB wrestling|VBG with|IN a|DT big|JJ ,|, heavy|JJ bar|NN of|IN gold|NN .|. 
"|'' They|PRP only|RB check|VBP deep|JJ storage|NN once|RB a|DT year|NN .|. 
Otherwise|RB the|DT vault|NN is|VBZ sealed|VBN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' Does|VBZ anyone|NN else|RB know|VB about|IN this|DT ?|. 
How|WRB much|JJ is|VBZ that|DT ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' No|DT ,|, they|PRP would|MD have|VB been|VBN on|IN Rapa|NNP Nui|NNP if|IN they|PRP knew|VBD ,|, ready|JJ to|TO stop|VB me|PRP .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ the|DT 400|CD ounces|NNS which|WDT I|PRP mentioned|VBD at|IN the|DT restaurant|NN .|. 
About|IN $150,000|NN dollars|NNS at|IN this|DT morning|NN 's|POS rate|NN .|. 
"|'' 
I|PRP looked|VBD at|IN the|DT sheet|NN in|IN my|PRP$ hand|NN .|. 
"|'' Deep|NNP Storage|NNP :|: Fort|NNP Knox|NNP ,|, Ky|NNP .|. 
"|'' it|PRP read|VBP ,|, "|'' 147,341,858.382|CD Fine|NNP Troy|NNP Ounces|NNP ,|, Book|NNP Value|NNP :|: $6,221,097,412.78|NN "|'' 
I|PRP had|VBD to|TO read|VB it|PRP twice|RB .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD never|RB seen|VBN a|DT dollar|NN sign|NN in|IN front|NN of|IN that|DT many|JJ number|NN before|RB .|. 
"|'' I|PRP thought|VBD they|PRP did|VBD n't|RB keep|VB gold|NN there|EX anymore|RB ,|, just|RB nerve|NN gas|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' The|DT gold|NN is|VBZ still|RB there|RB .|. 
How|WRB much|JJ can|MD we|PRP sell|VB before|IN someone|NN becomes|VBZ suspicious|JJ ?|. 
"|'' Charles|NNP put|VBD the|DT bar|NN down|RB and|CC slid|VBD a|DT web|NN pouch|NN over|IN it|PRP with|IN shoulder|NN straps|NNS like|IN a|DT small|JJ backpack|NN .|. 

"|'' None|NN ,|, "|'' I|PRP said|VBD and|CC slipped|VBD the|DT knife|NN into|IN his|PRP$ neck|NN right|NN at|IN the|DT base|NN of|IN his|PRP$ skull|NN .|. 
Call|VB me|PRP small|JJ minded|VBD ,|, but|CC you|PRP know|VBP "|'' a|DT bird|NN in|IN the|DT hand|NN .|. "|'' 
All|DT that|DT gold|NN in|IN Fort|NNP Knox|NNP was|VBD just|RB too|RB much|JJ for|IN me|PRP to|TO wrap|VB my|PRP$ head|NN around|IN .|. 
But|CC I|PRP could|MD handle|VB a|DT hundred|CD and|CC fifty-|NN K|NNP easy|JJ ,|, say|VBP seventy-five-|JJ K|NNP from|IN the|DT fence|NN .|. 
I|PRP slipped|VBD the|DT little|JJ pouch|NN over|IN my|PRP$ back|RB and|CC wiped|VBD the|DT knife|NN on|IN his|PRP$ jacket|NN .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP made|VBD my|PRP$ way|NN back|RB to|TO the|DT little|JJ marker|NN where|WRB we|PRP came|VBD in|IN .|. 
His|PRP$ mistake|NN had|VBD been|VBN in|IN telling|VBG me|PRP the|DT same|JJ gesture|NN opened|VBD the|DT door|NN the|DT other|JJ way|NN .|. 
I|PRP worried|VBD for|IN just|RB a|DT moment|NN when|WRB I|PRP started|VBD waving|VBG my|PRP$ hands|NNS .|. 
"|'' What|WP if|IN it|PRP did|VBD n't|RB work|VB ?|. 
"|'' So|IN the|DT icy|NN wind|NN at|IN the|DT top|NN of|IN the|DT mound|NN and|CC the|DT bright|JJ moon|NN came|VBD as|IN a|DT real|JJ relief|NN .|. 

The|DT gold|NN was|VBD heavy|JJ on|IN my|PRP$ back|RB ,|, and|CC I|PRP was|VBD all|PDT the|DT way|NN to|TO the|DT car|NN before|IN I|PRP realized|VBD I|PRP had|VBD left|VBN the|DT keys|NNS on|IN Charles|NNP .|. 

The|DT highway|NN patrol|NN was|VBD just|RB bound|VBN to|TO come|VBN by|IN then|RB .|. 
After|IN that|IN it|PRP was|VBD just|RB connect|VB the|DT dots|NNS back|RB to|TO prison|NN .|. 
The|DT rental|JJ car|NN records|NNS pointed|VBD to|TO Acres|NNP ,|, and|CC there|EX was|VBD enough|JJ blood|NN on|IN the|DT knife|NN to|TO match|VB DNA|NNP from|IN Acres|NNP comb|NN in|IN the|DT motel|NN .|. 
They|PRP never|RB bothered|VBD trying|VBG to|TO explain|VB how|WRB Acres|NNP made|VBD it|PRP into|IN the|DT country|NN without|IN a|DT ticket|NN on|IN a|DT plane|NN or|CC a|DT boat|NN .|. 
But|CC they|PRP speculated|VBD all|DT through|IN the|DT trial|NN about|IN where|WRB the|DT gold|NN came|VBD from|IN ,|, offered|VBN me|PRP deals|VBZ .|. 
The|DT prosecution|NN liked|VBD the|DT idea|NN that|IN Acres|NNP was|VBD my|PRP$ smuggler|NN 's|POS mule|NN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD a|DT one|CD man|NN gold|NN cartel|NN in|IN the|DT news|NN .|. 

I|PRP 'm|VBP just|RB wondering|VBG what|WP they|PRP 'll|MD think|VB when|WRB they|PRP open|VBP that|DT vault|NN in|IN Kentucky|NNP .|. 
And|CC I|PRP still|RB wonder|VBP why|WRB Charles|NNP picked|VBD me|PRP ?|. 
Maybe|RB he|PRP did|VBD n't|RB know|VB anybody|NN else|RB with|IN "|'' connections|NNS .|. "|'' 
But|CC mostly|RB ,|, I|PRP 'm|VBP wondering|VBG what|WP will|MD happen|VB when|WRB I|PRP try|VBP to|TO make|VB those|DT gestures|NNS ,|, that|IN "|'' device|NN "|'' right|RB here|RB in|IN my|PRP$ cell|NN ?|. 
Acres|NNP said|VBD it|PRP was|VBD dangerous|JJ ,|, but|CC maybe|RB I|PRP could|MD find|VB my|PRP$ way|NN back|RB to|TO the|DT mound|NN or|CC Easter|NNP Island|NNP even|RB .|. 
I|PRP figure|VBP it|PRP ca|MD n't|RB be|VB worse|JJR than|IN the|DT lethal|JJ injection|NN that|WDT 's|VBZ waiting|VBG for|IN me|PRP at|IN dawn|NN .|. 
I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB really|RB believe|VB I|PRP 'll|MD make|VB it|PRP or|CC I|PRP would|MD n't|RB say|VB a|DT thing|NN .|. 
But|CC if|IN I|PRP do|VBP make|VB it|PRP ,|, it|PRP wo|MD n't|RB matter|VB what|WP I|PRP tell|VBP you|PRP ,|, because|IN there|EX wo|MD n't|RB be|VB a|DT jail|NN that|WDT can|MD hold|VB me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP 'm|VBP leaving|VBG this|DT just|RB to|TO tell|VB "|'' whom|WP it|PRP may|MD concern|VB "|'' to|TO kiss|NNS my|PRP$ ever-lovin|JJ '|POS ass|NNS .|. 
Wish|NNP me|PRP luck|NN .|. 
I|PRP out|IN of|IN here|RB .|. 

