The Mena weekly star., 1897-09-01

TGYPTOLOGY in the days when I was at college, before l took to the profession which I followed for many years. was my chief delight, and 10 the fact that 1 was student of the ways of ancient Egypt l owed one of the luckiest hauls of my life.
 It fell out in this way We had long turned our eyes with ardent looks to- wards the establishment of Mir. Ponti- fex, jeweler and valuer, of Moore Lane, city, the contents of whose shop were said to be worth some [ 2o,0o0-
 Mir. Pontifex, in addition to being a jeweler and valuer, was also bit of an enthusiast on Egyptian relics, and one often saw paragraphs in the paper re- garding recent additions made to his Egyptian museum atNorwood.
 One day my chum, Dick Herring, Iounged into my room, smoking a clay and reading newspaper.
 Listen to this, guv'nor. Seems a waste, doesn't it?"
 Fire away" 1 returned, ''and I'll give you my opinion afterwards.'
 "sWe understand that Mir. Christo- pher Pontifex, the well-known jeweler of Moore lane, E. C., has just ordered a mummy from Messrs. Wood & Sons, the curiosity dealers. The mummy Is supposed to be the remains of Ptolemy H., and there is no doubt that there will be a great rush on. the part of all Psychologists 10 the Pontifex museum ito see the new importation from the Hand of the Pharaohs. ~"
 The paragraph then went on to say ahat [ 1000 had been stated as the price of the mummy in question.
 "Ain't that n waste O money?' he said, angrily; "and all on the mummy of q bloke as died thousands and thou sands of years ago. Still, I shouldn't anind changin' places with that ere mummy, purvidin', O course, that it was to be lodged over the shop. What hoi" he concluded, with wink at me. l laughed. "Iagree with you" I said; sI shouldn't have any objection at all to changing places with the mummy, say, between the hours of midnight and two a. m. But l don't quite see how it's to be done."
 More don't l, guv'nor,' returned Dick. moodily.
 He then relapsed into silence, blow ing great clouds from his pipe, and the business passed out of my mind. It was recalled to me, however, in very sudden manner some two months later, when, passing down street near the Strand, l espied close to pillar box Ia letter already stamped and addressed for posting, but which had evidently missed the box and fallen to the ground. Acting on the principle which always led me to obtain as much knowledge as | can, opened the envelope, and was astonished to find that it was iron, Messrs. Wood & Son, and it was ad- dressed to Mir. Pontifex. This is what it said:
 Dear Sir: The mummy to your esteemed order has now arrived at Southampton, and we expect it Tn London tomorrow Viii you kindly say if we can deliver same to-morrow afternoon? We understand the mummy Is to be deposited first of all or your premises at Moore Lane. Awaiting your reply. We are, yours very obedienty.
 WOOD X SON.
 As read these words a happy thought flashed across my brain, and 1 resolved to put 1t into execution at once. Going straight to a telegraph office in the city. sent the following message to Wood X Son; Leaving London for few days. Retain mummy till further no- tice.-pontifex."
 The message having been duly dis patched, took my way at once to my lodgings, where found my chum, Her. ring, sitting disconsolately on the sofa.
 Buck up, Dick, my lad.- cried; Il think we're in luck at last. Read that letter"
 1 handed him the note which I had picked up near the pillar box, and he read il carefully. Then he said:
 Where's the luck in this, guy nor?'
 What would you say if l told you that intended to impersonate the mummy which Mir. pontifex has or <iered. and that, moreover, intend to