he was holding something as he walked , holding it in the palms of his hands , his hands together , cradling it ... a small box or something like one , held away from his body slightly , as one would walk with a precious , fragile possession , conscious of ones own movements ... . as he strode forward , guards lining both sides of the corridor would come to attention and saluteright hand down the centerline , then a stomp , followed in quick succession by two more , which coincided perfectly with the huge drums boom ! boom !