The Secret of Lions Read Online Free Page A

fires
along with books,” Barbara said.
    “Take a look at the next slide,” Professor
Blake said. With one turn of the knob, the image on the wall
quickly shifted to one of Adolf Hitler standing in front of a
fireplace. Behind him, draped from the mantle of the fireplace,
hung two cloths with Nazi swastikas waving freely. “Look above the
fireplace, Miss Howard.”
    Behind Hitler, above the fireplace, rested
the painting— The Secret of Lions .
    “This picture is taken from Hitler’s private
study from one of his homes. It is said that it was his most prized
piece of art,” Professor Blake said. “Although, it was thought to
have been lost. Not that long ago, it was anonymously donated to
the university. And no one knows by whom. One day it was just lost
and the next it was here.
    “Amazing. Isn’t it? A painting in the
possession of Hitler, lost, and now in our possession.”
    “What a flit!” a student from the back
retorted. Giggling broke out among the class, everyone except for
Barbara. She was still mesmerized by the beauty of the
painting.
    “That’s enough, class. In fact, that is all
for today. See all of you Wednesday morning,” Professor Blake
said.
    After class, Barbara approached Professor
Blake. She hounded him about the painting without realizing it.
    “So no one is sure who the artist is?” she
asked.
    “No one knows who painted it or why,” said
Professor Blake.
    Barbara was astonished to hear this.
    “No one knows?” she repeated.
    “Miss Howard, scholars have
investigated––prominent scholars. Modern artists came from all over
the world to look at the painting. Many of them even claimed it as
one of their own. No one knows who really painted it. The painting
is a mystery in the true sense. There is a set of initials on the
bottom, but no one knows to whom they belong. The initials are U.S.
which could be anyone. Could mean that the artist is an American,
as in they stand for the United States. Could mean that his first
name is Ulysses. We really don’t know,” Professor Blake said.
    “So the secret is the identity of the
artist?” Barbara asked. The professor seemed openly annoyed at her
inquisition. That is when Barbara noticed that he was staring at a
foreign-looking man standing in the doorway. The man looked as
though he were expecting Professor Blake.
    “What is the secret, Miss Howard?” Professor
Blake asked. He gathered up the rest of his belongings and headed
toward the door, hoping to avoid further conversation.
    Barbara shook her head. She now had a topic
for her thesis.
    8
    Lucy and Barbara walked to the art gallery.
Barbara wanted desperately to see the painting. And she wanted Lucy
to take her. As they walked, Lucy talked about things other than
art.
    “Barbara, do you like boys? I mean are you a
lesbian? My sisters think that you’re a lesbian,” Lucy said.
    Barbara found herself staring at Lucy’s top
while her sexuality was being questioned. Unfortunately, Barbara
was only wondering how tight Lucy’s top was. It was hard not to
look at Lucy’s chest. She was skinny, not as skinny as Barbara, but
thin. Her bust was quite large and perky for a thin woman. Barbara
was slightly jealous.
    “Lucy, of course I’m a lesbian. That’s why I
can think of nothing better than clamping down on your...” Barbara
said, jokingly. She started giggling.
    “Barbara, if you’re not going to take me
seriously then you can go look at your stupid painting alone. Maybe
Professor Blake will keep you company,” Lucy said, playfully poking
at Barbara’s sensitivity.
    “Okay, I'm sorry, Lucy. Why are you asking
me about my preference of sex?”
    “Okay!” Lucy said. Suddenly, her eyes filled
with excitement, and she stopped Barbara’s march to the art
gallery. “As you realize, this school doesn’t have a large female
populace.”
    “I noticed,” Barbara said.
    “The sisters of my sorority were asking
about you.”
    “So?” Barbara said.
    “So? So?” Lucy