Read Napoleon's Pyramids for Free Online Page B

no one knows. We can generate it by turning a crank and store it in a jar, so we know it is. But who knows why? ”
    “Precisely.” The chemist considered, turning my medallion over in his hand. “And yet what if people did know, in the distant past? What if they controlled powers unattainable in our own time?”
    “They knew electricity?”
    “They knew how to erect extraordinary monuments, did they not?”
    “It is interesting that Ethan finds this medallion and comes to us at this particular point of time,” Talma added.
    “And yet science does not believe in coincidences,” Berthollet replied.
    “Point of time?” I asked.
    “However, one must recognize opportunity,” the chemist allowed.
    “What opportunity is that?” I was beginning to hope.
    “To escape the guillotine by joining the army,” Berthollet said.
    “What!”
    “At the same time, you can be an ally of science.”
    “And Freemasonry,” Talma added.
    “Are you mad? Which army?”
    “The French army,” the chemist said. “See here, Gage, as a Mason and man of science, can you swear to keep a secret?”
    “I don’t want to be a soldier!”
    “No one is asking you to. Can you swear?”
    Talma was looking at me expectantly, his handkerchief to his lips. I swallowed and nodded. “Of course.”
    “Bonaparte has left the channel and is preparing a new expedition. Even his own officers don’t know the destination, but some scientists do. For the first time since Alexander the Great, a conqueror is inviting savants to accompany his troops to research and record what we see. This is an adventure to rival those of Cook and Bougainville. Talma has suggested that you and he accompany the expedition, he as journalist and you as an expert on electricity, ancient mysteries, and this medallion. What if it is a valuable clue? You go, contribute to our speculations, and by the time you return everyone will have forgotten the unfortunate death of a whore.”
    “An expedition where?” I’ve always been skeptical of Alexander, who may have done a great deal in a short time but was dead one year younger than my own age, a fact which didn’t recommend his career in the slightest.
    “Where do you think?” Berthollet said impatiently. “Egypt! We go not just to seize a key trade route and open the door to our allies fighting the British in India. We go to explore the dawn of history. There might be useful secrets there. Better we men of science have the clues than the heretical Egyptian Rite, no?”
    “Egypt?” By Franklin’s ghost, what possible interest did I have there? Few Europeans had ever seen the place, shrouded as it was in Arab mystery. I had a vague impression of sand, the pyramids, and heathen fanaticism.
    “Not that you’re much of a scientist or a Freemason,” Berthollet amended. “But as an American and frontiersman, you might offer interesting perspective. Your medallion may also be a stroke of luck. If Silano wants it, it could have significance.”
    I hadn’t heard much past the first sentence. “Why aren’t I much of a scientist or Mason?” I was defensive because I secretly agreed.
    “Come, Ethan,” Talma said. “Berthollet means you’ve yet to make your mark.”
    “I am saying, Monsieur Gage, that at the age of thirty-three, your achievement is well short of your ability, and your ambition is shy of diligence. You’ve not contributed reports to the academies, advanced in Masonic degree, accumulated a fortune, started a family, owned a home, or produced writing of distinction. Frankly, I was skeptical when Antoine first suggested you. But he thinks you have potential, and we rationalists are enemies of the mystic followers of Cagliostro. I don’t want the medallion slipping from your guillotined neck. I greatly respect Franklin, and hope you might someday copy him. So, you can seek to prove your innocence in the revolutionary courts. Or you can come with us.”
    Talma grasped my arm. “Egypt, Ethan! Think of