The box gradually opened, revealing the inside. A stone statue, dressed in dwarf clothing, lay within. The statue bore an almost identical resemblance to a living creature, its eyebrows clear, every hair visible, its hands folded protectively over its chest. Yet, without Bart's words, no one would have thought it was a living being. Despite its striking human-like appearance, its whole body held the unique cyanotic white of marble, and to touch, it felt cold and hard, as a rock would. There were no signs of life, no rise and fall of the chest. Even with Bart's prior explanation, the girls remained skeptical, for the statue seemed like an exquisite sculpture, and all senses told them that was all it was.
Fortunately, Pannis had mentioned a heartbeat. The girls listened intently, and sure enough, every minute or so, a faint heartbeat sounded from the statue's chest, which was undeniably the best proof.
