Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-10
SOME RELICS FROM
THE NILE
BY c. b. WIS
Copyright, 1905, by NJ. NJ. Cunningham

JearS Old; that he had wealth, that he
was democratic and rode around on top
of omnibuses; that he had fads; that
'he greatest of his fads was picking up
'elics and presenting them to museums
II natural history throughout the king
1om. There was seldom a week that
ais name was not in the papers, and en-
.er any museum you might and you
would be sure to run across cases label
ed with his name and filled with his
gifts.
At his own expense the Hon. Blng-
lam had sent expeditions to the four
quarters Of the globe, and the only
'eason he had not purchased some of
the largest pyramids Of Egypt was be-
cause of the difficulties of transporta-
lion. If the chief of an African tribe
1ad warclubs for sale the Hon Bing-
nam bought them; If a child in the east
nd of London found petrifed bone It
could be turned into cash in twenty
'our hours
Hundreds of persons had taken the
Ion 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
'or taking the old man In with imita-
ions, that was different. He had made
few mistakes early in his career, as
night have been expected. but after he
lad passed fifty his decisions settled
he question with all museums In Eu-
In tho
irmor, however, and 1t was curious
hat no one found IT out for many
ears
One day there came to London an
American who had been exploring the
Iile for years. He had letters from
American and British consuls abroad.
lie even had one from the secretary Of
he khedive himself He had gathered
many wonderful things during his stay
IN the banks of the historic stream.
fe must have known of the Hon.
Charles Bingham but he did not call
Ipon the man or open correspondence.
lie dropped in at club or two, said
cry little, charmed everybody with his
nodesty and refused all interviews
yith reporters. 1t was not until the
Ion. Charles had sent one messenger
nd then written letter over his own
!gnature that Explorer Blake grudg
ugly consented to meeting. At that
1eetlng he named few Of his souve-
irs. but only a few. Nothing whatever
vas for sale. The whole bag was to 60
the New York Museum of Natural
History
The attitude of Explorer Blake was
hurlish. and yet after a few days he
oftened enough to invite the Hon.
harles to private inspection of his
reasures. This invitation would not
ave been extended to any other man
n the world. He appointed the hour
yhen he would call with a carriage, and
e was there to the minute. 1t was the
.eneral idea that his stock Of finds was
warehouse, and he was supposed
be stopping at hotel, but no one
yas certain of these things
The Hon Charles didn't care where
was taken. so long as the relics Of
ne Nile were at the other end Of the
Quincy. He paid no attention to the
treets they passed through and very
tile to the house at which they finally
rived He was ushered to the top
sory, talking as he went, landed in a
Dom about twelve feet square lighted
va skylight and when he looked about
Or the stock In trade he failed to find
:: The only furniture In the room
as two old chairs Explorer Blake
)ok one and lighted a cigar, and the
Ton Charles took the other and Won
cred what was coming next He soon
scertalned.
MY dear sir, | shall be very sorry to
ut you to any trouble" began the ex-
lorer, but the fact Is | am hard up
nd must raise $4,000 That is $4,000
1 your money. l don't want to turn
urglar or murderer. | want to be
emile and nice about 1t"
How long have you been planning
lis thingt' asked the Hon. Charles as
: looked around the empty room and
tumbled" to the fact that he had been
tken I'm.
.All of six months, and II has cost
lie considerable hard cash.
And your figure Is $1,000 Is it?'
Not penny less. When yon have
,tven me a check for the amount and
le same has been cashed, you will be
estored to liberty. | shall not demand
one of the provisions that you prom
'e not to go to the police about it, In
lie first place. / have made my ar
lngements to dodge them, and in the
ext you won't care to give yourself
way and be made a laughing stock
-
You reason logically" replied the
on. Charles as he also lighted cigar.
II have had this house hired for the
st FIVE months. | am supposed to be
bachelor and fairly well off, having
ally man to cook and wait upon me.
is name Is Thomas, and he is an ex-
ellent servant You can rest assured
lat he never will bring you into ridi-
lie over this affair."
ITO sum up, my friend, this is a put
p job. I have been lured here In or
ar that l may be forced to buy my
berty. You want $4,000 l must con-
.ss that. while the price is not extrav-
CANT, Z cannot see my way clear to
lying II Just now. What conclusion
may come to after three or four days
cannot say"
"very well" replied the explorer. "It
thirteen feet to the partly opened
iylight, with no chance whatever o1
)ur reaching It. Thomas will bring
)u bread anl water three times a
ay, and dt H.glt you shall have
ttress to rest on. Three days hence
shall appear again There Is no hur-
about this thing. After my next
Dpearance the price Of your liberty
i'll lie added to ut tie rate Of f10O per
~. You can afford to pay, and can
ford to wait"
1t was O'Clock In the afternoon
hen the Hon. Charles Bingham was
o. Il 4I