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All were arranged in exquisite patterns,
evidently copied from fixed mathematical designs,--there were stars,
crescents, roses, sunflowers, hearts, crossed daggers, ships and
implements of war, all faithfully depicted with extraordinary neatness
and care, as though each particular emblem had served some special
purpose.
Sir Philip walked along very slowly, delighted with his discovery,
and,--pausing to examine each panel as he passed,--amused himself with
speculations as to the meaning of this beautiful cavern, so fancifully
yet skillfully decorated.
"Some old place of worship, I suppose," he thought. "There must be many
such hidden in different parts of Norway. It has nothing to do with the
Christian faith, for among all these devices I don't perceive a single
cross."
He was right. There were no crosses; but there were many designs of the
sun--the sun rising, the sun setting, the sun in full glory, with all
his rays embroidered round him in tiny shells, some of them no bigger
than a pin's head.


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