Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02


think, an admirable young man.
''Oh, quite" Vance smiled family,
and replaced the samovar's lid. And
he Is much nearer Mrs. Bliss age than
Or. Bliss"
HAMS eyes fiickered, and It seemed
TO me that he gave q slight start, 1t
was momentary reaction, however.
Slowly he folded his arms, and stood like
o sphinx, silent and detached.
Mrs. Bliss and Mr.. Salveter will
both be rich, now that Mr.. Kyle Is
dead Vance spoke casually without
glancing toward the Egyptian. After
pause he asked: But what of Dr. Bliss
oxcavations2"
"They are probably at an end, ef-
fendi." Eaepite Hani's monotonous
6one there was a discernible note Of
triumphal satisfaction in his words.
why should the scored resting places
Of our noble Pharaohs be ravaged?"
I'm sure don't know" Vance said
blandly. THE art unearthed is scercely
worth copsiderin.' The only true art
Of antiquity is Chinese; and all modern
esthetic beauty stems from the Greeks
/. But this isn't an appropriate
time to discuss the creative instinct
Speakin of the doctors research
es, isn't it possible that Mrs. Bliss will
continue to finance her husbands
work."
A black cloud fell across HAMS face
ITS possible. Meryt-Amen is loyal
wife And no one can tell what
o woman will do
$50 I've been told-by those I'M
versed in feminine psychology" Vance's
manner was light and almost f1ippant.
"StiIl, even should Mrs. Bliss decline
60 assist in the continuance of the work,
Mr.. Salveter-with his fanatical en-
thusiasm for Egyptology- be per-
suaded to act as the doctors financial
angel"
mot If it offended Meryt-Amen-"
began HAM, and then stopped abruptly.
Vance appeared not to notice the sud-
den break In the others response.
you would, suppose" he remarked,
attempt to influence Mrs. Bliss against
helping her husband complete his ex-
cavations"
"Oh, no, effendi" HAM shook his
head. 'I would not presume to advise
her. She knows her own midland
her loyalty TO DR.. Bliss would dictate
her decision, whatever I might say"
"Ah! +. Tell me, HAM, who do you
consider was most benefited by the
death of Mr.. Kyle?"
"The ka of Intef." (Sir E. A. Wallis
Bulge defines ka, or, more correctly,
ku. both As the double of man" and
80 divine double" G. Ellie Smith calls
the Ia "one of the twin souls of the
dead" The other soul. ba becomes de-
fined In identification nth OSiris)
death: and If the tomb were violated
on destroyed, the ka had no resting
place.
Vance raised his eyes and gave an
exasperated smile.
"Ah, yeS-of course Most help
9ui," he murmured.
"For that reason" HAM continued,
o visionary look on his face, "the spirit
Of Sakhmet returned to the museum
this morning and struck down the de-
And" interjected Vince, put the
hand, placed the doctors scarab pin
beside the body, and made bloody foot
prints leading to the study Not
very fair minded your lady Of vengeance
s-im fact, o rather bad sport, don't y
know, tryin' to get some one else pun
4shed for her little flutSer In crime"
he studied the Egyptian closely through
over the end Of the tabla. When he
%poke again his voice was severe and
resonant. You're trying to shield some
enc, Hanil Who il it,"
The other took deep Breath, and
the pupils of his eyes dilated.
81 have told you all know, effendi."
his voice was scarcely audible. Il believe
''Rubbishr' Vance cut him short
Then he shrugged his shoulders and
grtnned. "Jawab al ahn1aq sakut." Can
old Arabic proverb meaning: THE only
answer to fool is silence.'1
A shrewed gleam came into Hani's
eyes, and thought I detected q sheer
on his mouth.
Vance was In no wise disconnected,
however. Somehow felt that, despite
the Egyptians evasiveness, he had
learned what he wanted. After brief
pause he tapped the samovar.
Leaving mythology To one side" he
said, complaisantly, st understand that
Mrs. Bliss sent Brush to you this morn
Ing with cup of coffee"
HAM merely nodded
What, by the by, was the nature of
your Glness?" Vance asked.
Since coming to this country" the
man returned, II have suffered from
indigestion. When I woke this morn
Most unfortunate" Vance murmured
sympathetically, and did you find that
the one cup Of coffee was sufhcient for
your needs?"
Hani obviously resented the question.
put there was no indication of his feel
ing in his answer.
Yes, effendi., was not hungry. :"
Vance looked mildly surprised
Indeed! I was under the impress
sion you came downstairs and drew
yourself . second cup from this perco-
1ator"
Once more cautious expression came
ever Hani's face, and he hesitated per-
eepttoly before answering.
"A second cup?" he repeated. Here
In the breakfast room. was not
aware Of the fact"
1T doesn't matter in the least"
vance returned. Some one was alone
with the percolator this morning. And
whoever 1t was-that is to say, whoever
might have been alone with twas in
VOWED in the plot Of Mr.. Kyle's death"
How could that be, effendi?" HAM
Tor the frst time. appeared vitality wor-
Vance did not answer his query. He
was leaning over the table, looking
critically at the inlay.
"Dtngle said she thought she heard
some one In here after Mrs. Bliss and
Mr.. Salveter had gone upstairs after
breakfast, and 1t occurred to me il
might have been you. :" He glanced
up sharply. Its possible, of course. that
Mrs. Bliss returned for another cup Of
co1ee or even Mr. Salveter :"
It was who was herel" HAM spoke
with slow and impressive emphasis Il
came down stairs almost Immediately
after Meryt-Amen had returned to her
room drew myself another cup Of
conee, and at once went back upstairs.
1t was whom Dingle heard. lied
70 you moment ago because I HAD
already told you in the museum, that I
bad. reEnatEs1 In my room all the morn
~kng-nny trip to the breakfast room had
slipped my mind, I did not regard the
MISTER Of any Importance
well, well! That explains every
thing" Vance smiled musingly. And
now that YOU have recalled YOUR little