A big magnifying glass came into position exactly opposite the stone. He pressed a switch and a bright light was thrown on its surface. More interested than ever the young couple peered through the magnifying glass. The enlarged carving seemed to come to life. On one edge of the transparent, blue-green stone, fine but scanty lines traced the nude figure of a girl standing with her right hand raised to her cheek. Rolls of thick, curly hair lay on her delicately moulded shoulders. The face had been carved with great attention to detail.

The remaining part of the stone was filled by three male figures, their arms round each other’s shoulders; these figures were drawn with far greater skill than that of the girl.

The shapely muscular figures had been caught in motion. There was something dynamic in the turn of the bodies, strong, urgent and at the same time restrained. The big man in the centre, taller than those on either side of him, had thrown his mighty arms round their shoulders. The side figures, armed with spears, stood with their heads bent attentively. The poses expressed the tense vigilance of warriors ready at any moment to repulse the attack of an enemy.

The three tiny figures were the work of a great artist. The basic idea — fraternity, friendship and the common struggle — was expressed with extraordinary force.

The charm of the bright, transparent stone, that served both as material and as background, greatly enhanced the beauty of the cameo. A limpid, warm tint that seemed to emanate from the depths of the cold transparent stone tinged the bodies of the three embracing men with the golden joy of sunshine…

Under the figures and on the smooth, lower edge some incomprehensible marks had been hurriedly and irregularly scratched.

“Have you had a good look? I can see you’re thrilled with it.” The voice of the archaeologist gave the young people a start. “Good. If you like, I’ll tell you something about that stone? It is one of the riddles that we sometimes meet in the historical documents of the past.