Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-19
wss no wonder that che guardians had
overlooked him, for tho door threw its

was scarce an article. from the shrivelled
car OF wheat 20 the pigment box OF the
pa;nter. which had not held its own against
four thousand years. Here was the flotsan
and ietsam washed up by the great ocean
oftime from the far-oii empire. From stately
Thebes. from lordly Luxor, from the great
temples Of Heliopolis. from hundred rified
tombs. these relies had been brought. The
student glanced round Of tho long silent
figures who fiickered vaguely up through
the gloom. ct the busy toilers who were
now 30 restful. and he fell into reverent
and thoughtful mood. An unwonfed
sense of his own youth and insignIdcance
came over him. Leaning back in his chair
he gazed dreamily down the long vista OF
rooms. oil silvery with the moonshine,
which extend through tho whole wine. OF
the widespread building. His eyes feii
upon the yellow glare OF r distant lamp.
John Vansittart Smith sat up on ms
chair with bis nerves all on edge. The
light was advancing slowly toward him,
pausine from time 70 time, and then COM
ing ierkily onward. The bearer moved
noiselessly. In the utter silence there was
no suspicion Of the pat of football. An
idea Of robbers entered the Englishman's
head. He Struggled up further into the
corner. The light was two rooms on:
Now il was in the next chamber, and still
approaching TO thrill of fear the student
observed face, floating in the air ms 1t
were. behind the fare Of the lamp. The
figure was wrapped IN shadow, but tho
hight fell full upon the strange, eager face.
There was no installing the metallic glis-
tening eyes and the cadaverous skin. 1T
was the attendant with whom ho had con-
yersed.
Vansittart Smiths first impulse was. to
al a
words OF explanation would set the matter
clear. and lead doubtless to his being cou-
Quoted to some side door from which he
might make his way TO bis hotel. As the
man entered the chamber, however, there
was something so stealthy IN his move
monts and so furtive IN his expression that
the Enelishman altered his intention. This
was clearly no ordinary Official walking
the rounds. The fellow wore felt-soled
slippers, stepped with q rising chest and
glanced quickly from left to right, while
his hurried, gasping breathing thrilled the
fame of his lamp. yansittart Smith
crouched silently back'into the corner and
watched him kcenly. convinced that has
errand was one Of secret and probably SIN
lister import.
There was no hesitation in the others
movements He stepped lightly and swift
w to one of the great cases, and, drawing a
key from his pocket, he unlocked 1t. From
the upper shelf he pulled down mummy,
which he bore away with him, and laid J,
with much care and solicItude upon the
oround. Bv il he placed his lamp. and
then squatting down beside II IN Eastern
fashion he began with long, qulvering flu
GERS To undo the CeTecloths and bandages
which cirt il round. As the cracking rolls
Of linen peeled of ono alter the. other "a
strong aromatic odor filled the chamber,
and fragments of scented wood and OF
spices battered down upon the marble
floor.
1t was clear toJohn Vanslttart Smith that
this mummy had never been unswathed
before. Tie operation Interested him
keenly. He thrilled all over with curi0sl-
ty. and his birdlike head protruded further
and further from behind the door, When,
however, the last roll had been removed
from the Observation-Disclosures head 1t
was ell that he could do TO stiiie an cutlery
of amazement. First a cascade of long.
black, glossy Il esses poured over the WORK
mans hands and arms. A second turn
OF the bandage revealed low, white
forehead with pair OF delicately-
arched eyebrows. A third uncovered q
pair Of bright. deeply -fringed eyes, and Z.
straight, well-cut nose, while fourth ana
last showed a sweet. full. sensitive mouth,
and a heautifully-cury chin. The whole
face was one of extraordinary loneliness.
save for the one blemish that in the centre
of the forehead there was single. lrregu-
lar, coflee-colored splotch. 1t was q trl-
umph of the cmbalmer's art. Nansittart
Smiths eyes grew larger and larger as he
gazed upon II, and he chlrruped III Ills
throat with satisfaction.
It's effect upon the Egyptologist was as
nothing. however, compared with that
which il produced upon the strange attend
ant. He threw his hands up into the cir,
burst into a harsh CHATTER of words, and
then. hurting himself down upon the
ground beside the mummy, he threw has
arms round her, and kissed her repeatedly
upon the lips and brow. Ma petite P'
he groaned in French. Ma pd'cre
Y7efitem His voice broke with emotion
and his innumerable wrinkles quivered and
writhed, but the student observed In tho
Iamp-hght that his shining eyes were still
as dry and fearless as two beads Of steel.
For some minutes he lay, with twitching
face. grooming and moaning over the beau
tjful head Then he broke into sudden
smile. said some words In nm unknown
tongue. and sprang TO his feet with the
vigorous air of one who has braced himself
for an effort.
In the centre of tho room there was a
large circular case which contained. as the
student had frequently remarked, q magnl-
1icent collection of early Egyptian rings
and precious stones. TO this the attendant
strobe, and unlocking it, he threw 1t open.
On the ledge at the side he placed his
lamp. and beside it small earthenware
jar which he had drawn from his
pocket. lie then took handful OF
rings from the case. and with q
most serious and anxious face he pro-
ceeded TO smear each in turn with some
LIQUID substance from the earthen pot, hold
inc them to the hight as he did so. lie was
clearly disappointed with the first lot. for
he threw them petulantly back into the
case and drew out some more. One OF these,
n massive ring, with large crystal set IN
it. he seized and eagerly tested with the
contents OF the jar. Instantly. he uttered
cry of Joy and threw out his arms III n
wild gesture which upset the pot and sent
the hquid streaming across the floor to tho
very feet Of the Englishman: The attend
ant drew a red handkerchief from his bo-
som, aud. mopping up the mess, he FOL
lowed it into the corner. where III mo-
ment he found himself face TO face with
his observer.
Excuse me-" me. said John Vansittart
Smith all imaginable politeness; l have
been unfortunate enough to fall asleep be-
hind this door,"
And YOU have been watching me?"
the other asked in English, with q most
venomous look on his corpse-like face.
The student was man Of veracity.
confess" said no, that | have noticed
your movements, and that they have
aroused my curiosity and interest in the
highest degree
The man drew a long flamboyant-b laded
knife from his bosom. You have had u
very narrow escape" he said; had ! seen
you ten minutes ago ] should have driven
this through your heart. As it is. II you
touch me or interfere with Inc in any way
you are dead man." -.
81 have no wish TO interfere with you."
the student answered. My presence here
is entirely accidental. All ask is that you
will have the extreme kindness To show me
out through some side door" lie spoke
with great suavity. for the man was still
pressing the tip of his dagger against the
palm of his left hand. as though 10 assure
himself OF its sharpness. Will his face pre-
served its malignant expression.
IF thought" said he. " But no, per-
haps il is az well. What is your manner"
The Englishman gave it.
"Vansittart Smith" the other repeated.
Are you the same VansittaTt Smith who
gave q paper in London upon III KabY L
saw report of it. Your knowledge OF the
subject is contemplate"
"Siri cried the Psychologist.
"Yet il is superior to that OF many who