82 The First Base

The next morning at first light found them consulting the riddle for the next step. “This one is easy enough,” Ella said, frowning. “This can be nothing but a volcano.” She looked up and around fiercely. “I mean, have a look at it, ‘the mount still cries and wails; tears ready to drop; red hot tears of destruction.’ That can only be a volcano.” Lara chuckled. “Ella, no one is disagreeing with you dear. We all know it's a volcano.” “Well the question now is, are there any volcanoes, active or not, in these parts?” All eyes turned to Lara immediately. She stared back at the others too blankly. “Why are you all looking at me?” “Well,” Konstantin scratched his beard awkwardly. The others also looked away grinning sheepishly. They had all come to unconsciously regard her as the one with the answers. But Lara suddenly grinned. “Okay, I have got you guys. There is indeed a volcano around here. But seriously, the books are with me. We all can read them.” “But we can't and you do,” G