Shelia Vernow was the sister of archaeologist Neal Vernow, who, with his friend Cliff Barron, was searching in Peru for the lost city of gold known as Chicalmo. Shelia dreamt that Cliff and Neal had discovered the city, only to be attacked by the natives. Disturbed by this dream, Shelia talked with Professor Farrel, who, while aware that Shelia’s mother had a psychic sense, could not put much faith in just a dream. Undeterred, Shelia set off immediately for Lima, Peru, only to learn that the government was going to seal the tunnel used by Neal’s expedition with concrete in two weeks. A guide named Juan Sinto offers to take her to the lost city for five thousand American dollars. She agrees to the terms, but after getting his money, Juan left Shelia stranded in the jungle. She tried to continue her search, but fainted from exhaustion. Upon waking, she finds herself in Chicalmo pampered by Incan servants. The priest of the flame temple greeted her as the Flame Goddess, and told her they would go to the flame temple to replace the old goddess. Once at the temple, the old Flame Goddess gave Shelia the flame scepter, the symbol of the goddess’ power, and then jumped into a flaming pit. The priest handed her the dagger of flames, and told her that she must sacrifice two enemies of Chicalmo, her brother and Cliff. The next day, she used a trick knife made for her by a goldsmith in Chicalmo to trick the people into thinking Neal and Cliff were immortals. She requested a feast to celebrate them, and that they be brought to her quarters after they received new clothes. Once Neal and Cliff arrived, Shelia reveals her identity, explained what happened to her, and how she saved them. The trio then head to the feast.
Description Shelia Vernow was the sister of archaeologist Neal Vernow, who, with his friend Cliff Barron, was searching in Peru for the lost city of gold known as Chicalmo. Shelia dreamt that Cliff and Neal had discovered the city, only to be attacked by the natives. Disturbed by this dream, Shelia talked with Professor Farrel, who, while aware that Shelia’s mother had a psychic sense, could not put much faith in just a dream. Undeterred, Shelia set off immediately for Lima, Peru, only to learn that the government was going to seal the tunnel used by Neal’s expedition with concrete in two weeks. A guide named Juan Sinto offers to take her to the lost city for five thousand American dollars. She agrees to the terms, but after getting his money, Juan left Shelia stranded in the jungle. She tried to continue her search, but fainted from exhaustion. Upon waking, she finds herself in Chicalmo pampered by Incan servants. The priest of the flame temple greeted her as the Flame Goddess, and told her they would go to the flame temple to replace the old goddess. Once at the temple, the old Flame Goddess gave Shelia the flame scepter, the symbol of the goddess’ power, and then jumped into a flaming pit. The priest handed her the dagger of flames, and told her that she must sacrifice two enemies of Chicalmo, her brother and Cliff. The next day, she used a trick knife made for her by a goldsmith in Chicalmo to trick the people into thinking Neal and Cliff were immortals. She requested a feast to celebrate them, and that they be brought to her quarters after they received new clothes. Once Neal and Cliff arrived, Shelia reveals her identity, explained what happened to her, and how she saved them. The trio then head to the feast.
