Carnival at Candlelight Read Online Free

called the Giants’ Stairs because they are guarded by two large statues of gods from Roman mythology: Mars, the god of war, and Neptune, the god of the sea.
    “Cool,” said Annie. “Let’s go.”
    Jack and Annie hurried down the passageway that ran along the courtyard until they came to a wide staircase. On either side of the stairs were giant marble statues of strong-looking men.
    “Mars and Neptune,” said Jack. “This is it. Come on.”
    Jack and Annie quickly climbed the Giants’ Stairs. At the top, Jack looked at the map again. “Now we turn right and head for the Golden Staircase,” he said.
    Keeping an eye out for more guards, they crept down a hall until they came to a fancy staircase under a gold ceiling.
    “There it is,” said Jack. “Let’s climb up.” He and Annie hurried up the Golden Staircase. When they got to the top, they froze. Another guard was slouched against the wall by the stairs. His eyes were closed, and he was snoring softly.
    Jack motioned to Annie, and they tiptoed past the sleeping guard to the entrance of the ruler’s living chambers. Jack glanced at the map. “This is it,” he whispered.
    The door was open. Jack and Annie peeked inside. “Knock, knock?” Annie said in a soft voice.
    No one answered.
    They stepped through the doorway. A fire blazed on the hearth. Overhead many candles burned brightly. The dancing flames cast shadows on a marble floor and a carved gold ceiling.
    “I have a feeling the ruler’s not here,” said Annie. “Maybe we should leave.”
    Jack looked at their book. “Wait, the next room is the Map Room,” he said. “Let’s just take a look.”
    “Okay, but we’d better hurry,” said Annie.
    Jack led the way into the Map Room. Colorful maps hung on the walls. In the middle of the floor were two huge globes. Jack sighed. “I
love
this room,” he said.
    “Look, more lions,” said Annie. She pointed to three paintings of winged lions on one of the walls. “Why are there lions with wings everywhere?”
    Jack looked up
winged lions
in their book. He turned to the right page and read:
    The winged lion is the symbol of Venice. Represented in paintings and sculptures all over the city, the lions stand for strength on both land and sea.
    As Jack and Annie looked back up at the lion paintings, they heard footsteps. The grouchy guard and the sleepy guard rushed into the room.
    “Hi, we’re looking—” began Annie.
    “There they are! The thieves!” the sleepy guard shouted at the grouchy guard. “I
told
you I heard voices!”
    “We’re not thieves,” said Annie. “We were just looking for your ruler to ask for his help.”
    “She’s right,” said Jack. “We have to tell him that—”
    “Won’t admit your crime, eh?” said the grouchy guard. “The worst cells are reserved for criminals like you! Move!”
    “But we—” started Annie.
    “Move!” shouted the grouchy guard, raising his rifle and pointing to the door.
    Jack knew there was no use arguing. He took Annie’s hand and led her out of the ruler’s living chambers. The two guards walked behind them, pointing guns at their backs.
    “To the end of the hall and down the steps!” growled the grouchy guard.
    Jack and Annie walked quickly down the hall, then down some steep, narrow steps. Theymoved through a low stone corridor, the guards close behind them.
    “Over the Bridge of Sighs!” shouted the grouchy guard. “And be sure to sigh when you cross it—because you won’t be coming back for a long time!”
    Jack gripped Annie’s hand as they crossed a covered footbridge to another building. Once inside, they started down a lantern-lit hallway filled with puddles. Jack’s shoes felt squishy and soggy as he sloshed through the water.
    “Halt!” shouted the grouchy guard.
    Jack and Annie stopped in front of a heavy wooden door. The grouchy guard opened the door and pushed them into a dark, damp cell.
    The door slammed shut. Jack heard a heavy metal bolt clank into