Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-10-17
SOME RELICS FROM
THE nile
BY C.. b. LEWIS
Copyright. 1906. by NJ Nj. Cunningham

years old; that he had wealth, that he
was democratic and rode around on top
of omnibuses; that he had fads; that
the greatest OF his fads was picking up
relics and presenting them to museums
of natural history throughout the king
dom. There was seldom a week that
his name was not In the papers, and en-
ter any museum you might and you
would be sure to run across cases label
ed with his name and filed with his
gifts.
At his own expense the Hon. Bing
ham had sent expeditions to the four
quarters of the globe, and the only
reason he had not purchased some OF
the largest pyramids of Egypt was be-
cause of the difficulties Of transporta-
ton If the chief of an African tribe
had warclubs for sale the Hon. Bling
ham bought them; If a child in the east
end of London found petrified bone 1T
could be turned into cash In twenty
four hours.
Hundreds of persons had taken the
Hon Charles Bingham for an easy
mark and sought TO work him. Man.
woman or child could find access to his
house at any hour Of the day, but as
for taking the old man in with imita-
tions, that was different He had made
few mistakes early in his career ms
might have been expected, but after he
had passed fifty his decisions settled
the question with all museums in Eu-
rope There was weak spot in the
armor. however, and It was curious
that no one found IL ont for many
years.
One day there came to London an
American who had been exploring the
Nile for years. He had letters from
American and British consuls abroad.
He even had one from the secretary OF
the khedive himself. He had gathered
many wonderful things during his stay
on the banks OF the historic stream.
He must have known of the Hon.
Charles Bingham, but he did not call
upon the man or open correspondence.
He dropped in at a club or two, said
very little, charmed everybody with his
modesty and refused all interviews
with reporters. 1t was not until the
Hon. Charles had sent one me rsenger
and then written a letter over his own
signature that Explorer Blake grudg-
ingly consented to n meeting At that
meeting he named few of his souve-
Mrs but only few. Nothing whatever
was for sale. The whole bag was to go
to the New York Museum of Natural
History.
The attitude of Explorer Blake was
churlish. and yet after a few days he
softened enough to invite the Hon.
Charles to n private inspection of his
treasures. This invitation would not
have been extended to any other man
in the world He appointed the hour
when he would call with carriage, and
ne was there to the minute. 1t was the
general idea that his stock of finds was
in warehouse, and he was supposed
TO be stopping at a hotel. but no one
was certain of these things
The Hon Charles didn't care where
he was taken. so long as the relics OF
the Nile were at the other end of the
Journey. He paid no attention to the
streets they passed through and very
little to the house at which they finally
arrived He was ushered to the top
story, talking as he went, landed In
room about twelve feet square lighted
by q skylight, and when he looked about
for the stock in trade he failed TO find
it, The only furniture in the room
was two old chairs. Explorer Blake
took one and lighted n cigar and the
: Hon. Charles took the other and won
dered what was coming next He soon
ascertained
MY dear sir. / shall be very sorry to
put you to any trouble" began the eX-
plorr, but the fact is | am hard up
and must raise So. 1000. That is $1,000
in your money. ! don't want To turn
burglar or murderer. | want to be
/ gentle and nice about it,"
How long have you been planning
this thing?" asked the Hon. Charles as
he looked around the empty room and
'tumbled" to the fact that he had been
! taken in.
"All of six months, and Ii has cost
me considerable hard cash"
"And your figure is 5000. is lt?"
NOl ~ Dtuhl ltSo. w ntn YOU huNt
! given me a check for the amount and
the same has been cashed. you will be
! restored to liberty | shall not demand
as one Of the provisions that you prom
Use not to go to the police about ii. In
! the first place, | have made my ar
rangements to dodge them. and in the
next you won't care TO give yourself
away and be made laughing stock
Of
you reason logically" replied the
Hon. Charles as he also lighted a cigar.
! II have had this house hired for the
last five months. | am supposed to be
bachelor and fairly well off, having
! only man to cook and wait upon me.
! His name is Thomas, and he is an ex-
cellent servant. You can rest assured
that he never will bring you into ridi-
cule over this affair."
ITO sum up, my friend. this is a put
up job. | have been lured here In or
der that I may be forced to buy my
liberty. You want $4,000. I must con-
fess that. while the price is not extrav-
/ ft n IL a.