第1章

THECOMINGOFTHERING

Everyonehasreadthemonograph，Ibelievethatistherightword，ofmydearfriend，ProfessorHiggs——PtolemyHiggstogivehimhisfullname——descriptiveofthetablelandofMurinNorthCentralAfrica，oftheancientundergroundcityinthemountainswhichsurroundedit，andofthestrangetribeofAbyssinianJews，orrathertheirmixeddescendants，bywhomitis，orwas，inhabited。Isayeveryoneadvisedly，foralthoughthepublicwhichstudiessuchworksisusuallyselect，thatwhichwilltakeaninterestinthem，ifthecharacterofalearnedandpugnaciouspersonageisconcerned，isverywideindeed。

Nottomincematters，ImayaswellexplainwhatImeanatonce。

ProfessorHiggs\'srivalsandenemies，ofwhomeitherthebrilliancyofhisachievementsorhissomewhatabruptandpointedmethodsofcontroversyseemtohavemadehimagreatmany，haverisenup，orratherseatedthemselves，andwrittenhimdown——well，anindividualwhostrainsthetruth。Indeed，onlythismorningoneoftheseinquired，inalettertothepress，alludingtosomeadventuroustravellerwho，Iamtold，lecturedtotheBritishAssociationseveralyearsago，whetherProfessorHiggsdidnot，infact，rideacrossthedeserttoMur，notuponacamel，ashealleged，butuponalandtortoiseofextraordinarysize。

TheinnuendocontainedinthisepistlehasmadetheProfessor，who，asIhavealreadyhinted，isnotbynatureofameekdisposition，extremelyangry。Indeed，notwithstandingallthatIcoulddo，helefthisLondonhouseunderanhouragowithawhipofhippopotamushidesuchastheEgyptianscalla/koorbash/，purposingtoavengehimselfuponthepersonofhisdefamer。Inordertopreventapublicscandal，however，Ihavetakenthelibertyoftelephoningtothatgentleman，who，boldandviciousashemaybeinprint，isphysicallysmalland，Ishouldsay，ofatimidcharacter，togetoutofthewayatonce。Tojudgefromtheabruptfashioninwhichourconversationcametoanend，Iimaginethatthehinthasbeentaken。Atanyrate，Ihopeforthebest，and，asanextraprecaution，havecommunicatedwiththelawyersofmyjustlyindignantfriend。

ThereaderwillnowprobablyunderstandthatIamwritingthisbook，nottobringmyselforothersbeforethepublic，ortomakemoneyofwhichIhavenopresentneed，orforanypurposewhatsoever，excepttosetdownthebareandactualtruth。Infact，somanyrumoursareflyingaboutastowherewehavebeenandwhatbefellusthatthishasbecomealmostnecessary。AssoonasIlaiddownthatcruelcolumnofgibesandinsinuationstowhichIhavealluded——yes，thisverymorning，beforebreakfast，thisconvictiontookholdofmesostronglythatIcabledtoOliver，CaptainOliverOrme，theheroofmyhistory，ifithasanyparticularhero，whoisatpresentengageduponwhatmustbeanextremelyagreeablejourneyroundtheworld——askinghisconsent。TenminutessincetheanswerarrivedfromTokyo。Hereitis:

“Dowhatyoulikeandthinknecessary，butpleasealterallnames，etcetera，asproposereturningviaAmerica，andfearinterviewers。Japanjollyplace。”ThenfollowssomeprivatematterwhichIneednotinsert。Oliverisalwaysextravagantwherecablegramsareconcerned。

Isupposethatbeforeenteringonthisnarration，forthereader\'sbenefitIhadbettergivesomeshortdescriptionofmyself。

MynameisRichardAdams，andIamthesonofaCumberlandyeomanwhomarriedaWelshwoman。ThereforeIhaveCelticbloodinmyveins，whichperhapsaccountsformyloveofrovingandotherthings。Iamnowanoldman，neartheendofmycourse，Isuppose；atanyrate，Iwassixty-fivelastbirthday。ThisismyappearanceasIseeitintheglassbeforeme:tall，spare(Idon\'tweighmorethanahundredandfortypounds——thedeserthasanysuperfluousfleshthatIeverowned，mylothavingbeen，likeFalstaff，tolardtheleanearth，butinahotclimate)；myeyesarebrown，myfaceislong，andIwearapointedwhitebeard，whichmatchesthewhitehairabove。

Truthcompelsmetoaddthatmygeneralappearance，asseeninthatglasswhichwillnotlie，remindsmeofthatofaratheragedgoat；

indeed，tobefrank，bythenativesamongwhomIhavesojourned，andespeciallyamongtheKhalifa\'speoplewhenIwasaprisonerthere，I

haveoftenbeencalledtheWhiteGoat。

Ofmyverycommonplaceoutwardselfletthissuffice。Asformyrecord，Iamadoctoroftheoldschool。Thinkofit！WhenIwasastudentatBart。\'stheantiseptictreatmentwasquiteanewthing，andadministeredwhenatall，byhelpofakindofengineonwheels，outofwhichdisinfectantsweredispensedwithapump，muchastheadvancedgardenerspraysagreenhouseto-day。

Isucceededabovetheaverageasastudent，andinmyearlytimeasadoctor。Butineveryman\'slifetherehappenthingswhich，whateverexcusesmaybefoundforthem，wouldnotlookparticularlywellincoldprint(nobody\'srecord，asunderstoodbyconventionandthePharisee，couldreallystandcoldprint)；alsosomethinginmybloodmademeitsservant。Inshort，havingnostricttiesathome，anddesiringtoseetheworld，Iwanderedfarandwideformanyyears，earningmylivingasIwent，never，inmyexperience，adifficultthingtodo，forIwasalwaysamasterofmytrade。

MyfortiethbirthdayfoundmepractisingatCairo，whichImentiononlybecauseitwasherethatfirstImetPtolemyHiggs，who，eventheninhisyouth，wasnotedforhisextraordinaryantiquarianandlinguisticabilities。Irememberthatinthosedaysthejokeabouthimwasthathecouldswearinfifteenlanguageslikeanativeandinthirty-twowithcommonproficiency，andcouldreadhieroglyphicsaseasilyasabishopreadsthe/Times/。

Well，Idoctoredhimthroughabadattackoftyphoid，butashehadspenteveryfarthingheownedonscarabsorsomethingofthesort，madehimnocharge。ThislittlekindnessIamboundtosayheneverforgot，forwhateverhisfailingsmaybe(personallyIwouldnottrusthimalonewithanyobjectthatwasmorethanathousandyearsold)，Ptolemyisagoodandfaithfulfriend。

InCairoImarriedaCopt。Shewasaladyofhighdescent，thetraditioninherfamilybeingthattheyweresprungfromoneofthePtolemaicPharaohs，whichispossibleandevenprobableenough。Also，shewasaChristian，andwelleducatedinherway。But，ofcourse，sheremainedanOriental，andforaEuropeantomarryanOrientalis，asI

havetriedtoexplaintoothers，averydangerousthing，especiallyifhecontinuestoliveintheEast，whereitcutshimofffromsocialrecognitionandintimacywithhisownrace。Still，althoughthisstepofmineforcedmetoleaveCairoandgotoAssouan，thenalittle-

knownplace，topractisechieflyamongthenatives，Godknowswewerehappyenoughtogethertilltheplaguetookher，andwithitmyjoyinlife。

Ipassoverallthatbusiness，sincetherearesomethingstoodreadfulandtoosacredtowriteabout。Sheleftmeonechild，ason，who，tofillupmycupofsorrow，whenhewastwelveyearsofage，waskidnappedbytheMardi\'speople。

Thisbringsmetotherealstory。Thereisnobodyelsetowriteit；

Oliverwillnot；Higgscannot(outsideofanythinglearnedandantiquarian，heishopeless)；soImust。Atanyrate，ifitisnotinteresting，thefaultwillbemine，notthatofthestory，whichinallconscienceisstrangeenough。

WearenowinthemiddleofJune，anditwasayearagolastDecemberthat，ontheeveningofthedayofmyarrivalinLondonafteranabsenceofhalfalifetime，IfoundmyselfknockingatthedoorofProfessorHiggs\'sroomsinGuildfordStreet，W。C。Itwasopenedbyhishousekeeper，Mrs。Reid，athinandsaturnineoldwoman，whoremindedandstillremindsmeofareanimatedmummy。ShetoldmethattheProfessorwasin，buthadagentlemantodinner，andsuggestedsourlythatIshouldcallagainthenextmorning。WithdifficultyIpersuadedheratlasttoinformhermasterthatanoldEgyptianfriendhadbroughthimsomethingwhichhecertainlywouldliketosee。

FiveminuteslaterIgropedmywayintoHiggs\'ssitting-room，whichMrs。Reidhadcontentedherselfwithindicatingfromalowerfloor。Itisalargeroom，runningthewholewidthofthehouse，dividedintotwobyanarch，whereonce，intheGeorgiandays，therehadbeenfoldingdoors。Theplacewasinshadow，exceptforthefirelight，whichshoneuponatablelaidreadyfordinner，anduponanextraordinarycollectionofantiquities，includingacoupleofmummieswithgoldfacesarrangedintheircoffinsagainstthewall。Atthefarendoftheroom，however，anelectriclampwasalightinthebow-

windowhangingoveranothertablecoveredwithbooks，andbyitIsawmyhost，whomIhadnotmetfortwentyyears，althoughuntilI

vanishedintothedesertwefrequentlycorresponded，andwithhimthefriendwhohadcometodinner。

First，IwilldescribeHiggs，who，Imaystate，isadmitted，evenbyhisenemies，tobeoneofthemostlearnedantiquariansandgreatestmastersofdeadlanguagesinEurope，thoughthisnoonewouldguessfromhisappearanceattheageofaboutforty-five。Inbuildshortandstout，faceroundandhigh-coloured，hairandbeardofafieryred，eyes，whentheycanbeseen——forgenerallyhewearsapairoflargebluespectacles——smallandofanindefinitehue，butsharpasneedles。

Dresssountidy，peculiar，andwornthatitissaidthepoliceinvariablyrequesthimtomoveon，shouldheloiterinthestreetsatnight。Suchwas，andis，theoutwardseemingofmydearestfriend，ProfessorPtolemyHiggs，andIonlyhopethathewon\'tbeoffendedwhenheseesitsetdowninblackandwhite。

Thatofhiscompanionwhowasseatedatthetable，hischinrestingonhishand，listeningtosomeeruditediscoursewitharatherdistractedair，wasextraordinarilydifferent，especiallybycontrast。Atallwell-madeyoungman，ratherthin，butbroad-shouldered，andapparentlyfiveorsixandtwentyyearsofage。Faceclean-cut——somuchso，indeed，thatthedarkeyesalonerelieveditfromasuspicionofhardness；hairshortandstraight，liketheeyes，brown；expressionthatofamanofthoughtandability，and，whenhesmiled，singularlypleasant。Suchwas，andis，CaptainOliverOrme，who，bytheway，I

shouldexplain，isonlyacaptainofsomevolunteerengineers，although，infact，averyablesoldier，aswasprovedintheSouthAfricanWar，whencehehadthenbutlatelyreturned。

Ioughttoaddalsothathegavemetheimpressionofamannotinlovewithfortune，orratherofonewithwhomfortunewasnotinlove；

indeed，hisyoungfaceseemeddistinctlysad。Perhapsitwasthisthatattractedmetohimsomuchfromthefirstmomentthatmyeyesfellonhim——mewithwhomfortunehadalsobeenoutofloveformanyyears。

WhileIstoodcontemplatingthispair，Higgs，lookingupfromthepapyrusorwhateveritmightbethathewasreading(Igatheredlaterthathehadspenttheafternooninunrollingamummy，andwasstudyingitsspoils)，caughtsightofmestandingintheshadow。

“Whothedevilareyou?“heexclaimedinashrillandstridentvoice，foritacquiresthatqualitywhenheisangryoralarmed，“andwhatareyoudoinginmyroom?“

“Steady，“saidhiscompanion；“yourhousekeepertoldyouthatsomefriendofyourshadcometocall。”

“Oh，yes，soshedid，onlyIcan\'trememberanyfriendwithafaceandbeardlikeagoat。Advance，friend，andall\'swell。”

SoIsteppedintotheshiningcircleoftheelectriclightandhaltedagain。

“Whoisit?Whoisit?“mutteredHiggs。“Thefaceisthefaceof——of——

Ihaveit——ofoldAdams，onlyhe\'sbeendeadthesetenyears。TheKhalifagothim，theysaid。Antiqueshadeofthelong-lostAdams，pleasebesogoodastotellmeyourname，forwewastetimeoverauselessmystery。”

“Thereisnoneed，Higgs，sinceitisinyourmouthalready。Well，I

shouldhaveknownyouanywhere；butthen/your/hairdoesn\'tgowhite。”

“Notit；toomuchcolouringmatter；directresultofasanguinedisposition。Well，Adams——forAdamsyoumustbe——Iamreallydelightedtoseeyou，especiallyasyouneveransweredsomequestionsinmylastletterastowhereyougotthoseFirstDynastyscarabs，ofwhichthegenuineness，Imaytellyou，hasbeendisputedbycertainenviousbeasts。Adams，mydearoldfellow，welcomeathousandtimes“——andheseizedmyhandsandwrungthem，adding，ashiseyefelluponaringI

wore，“Why，what\'sthat?Somethingquiteunusual。Butnevermind；youshalltellmeafterdinner。Letmeintroduceyoutomyfriend，CaptainOrme，averydecentscholarofArabic，withaquiteelementaryknowledgeofEgyptology。”

“/Mr。/Orme，“interruptedtheyoungerman，bowingtome。

“Oh，well，Mr。orCaptain，whicheveryoulike。Hemeansthatheisnotintheregulararmy，althoughhehasbeenallthroughtheBoerWar，andwoundedthreetimes，oncestraightthroughthelungs。Here\'sthesoup。Mrs。Reid，layanotherplace。Iamdreadfullyhungry；nothinggivesmesuchanappetiteasunrollingmummies；itinvolvessomuchintellectualwearandtear，inadditiontothephysicallabour。Eat，man，eat。Wewilltalkafterwards。”

Soweate，Higgslargely，forhisappetitewasalwaysexcellent，perhapsbecausehewasthenpracticallyateetotaller；Mr。Ormeverymoderately，andIasbecomesapersonwhohaslivedformonthsatatimeondates——mainlyofvegetables，which，withfruits，formmyprincipaldiet——thatis，iftheseareavailable，foratapinchIcanexistonanything。

Whenthemealwasfinishedandourglasseshadbeenfilledwithport，Higgshelpedhimselftowater，litthelargemeerschaumpipehealwayssmokes，andpushedroundthetobacco-jarwhichhadonceservedasasepulchuralurnfortheheartofanoldEgyptian。

“Now，Adams，“hesaidwhenwealsohadfilledourpipes，“telluswhathasbroughtyoubackfromtheShades。Inshort，yourstory，man，yourstory。”

Idrewtheringhehadnoticedoffmyhand，athickbandofratherlight-colouredgoldofasizesuchasanordinarywomanmightwearuponherfirstorsecondfinger，inwhichwassetasplendidslabofsapphireengravedwithcuriousandarchaiccharacters。Pointingtothesecharacters，IaskedHiggsifhecouldreadthem。

“Readthem?Ofcourse，“heanswered，producingamagnifyingglass。

“Can\'tyou?No，Iremember；youneverweregoodatanythingmorethanfiftyyearsold。Hullo！thisisearlyHebrew。Ah！I\'vegotit，“andheread:

“\'ThegiftofSolomontheruler——no，theGreatOne——ofIsrael，BelovedofJah，toMaquedaofSheba-land，Queen，DaughterofKings，ChildofWisdom，Beautiful。\'

“That\'sthewritingonyourring，Adams——areallymagnificentthing。

\'QueenofSheba——Bath-Melachim，DaughterofKings，\'withouroldfriendSolomonchuckedin。Splendid，quitesplendid！“——andhetouchedthegoldwithhistongue，andtesteditwithhisteeth。“Hum——wheredidyougetthisintelligentfraudfrom，Adams?“

“Oh！“Ianswered，laughing，“theusualthing，ofcourse。Iboughtitfromadonkey-boyinCairoforaboutthirtyshillings。”

“Indeed，“herepliedsuspiciously。“Ishouldhavethoughtthestoneinitwasworthmorethanthat，although，ofcourse，itmaybenothingbutglass。Theengraving，too，isfirst-rate。Adams，“headdedwithseverity，“youaretryingtohoaxus，butletmetellyouwhatI

thoughtyouknewbythistime——thatyoucan\'ttakeinPtolemyHiggs。

Thisringisashamelessswindle；butwhodidtheHebrewonit?He\'sagoodscholar，anyway。”

“Don\'tknow，“Ianswered；“wasn\'tawaretillnowthatitwasHebrew。

Totellyouthetruth，IthoughtitwasoldEgyptian。AllIdoknowisthatitwasgiven，orratherlent，tomebyaladywhosetitleisWaldaNagasta，andwhoissupposedtobeadescendantofSolomonandtheQueenofSheba。”

Higgstookuptheringandlookedatitagain；then，asthoughinafitofabstraction，slippeditintohiswaistcoatpocket。

“Idon\'twanttoberude，thereforeIwillnotcontradictyou，“heansweredwithakindofgroan，“or，indeed，sayanythingexceptthatifanyoneelsehadspunmethatyarnIshouldhavetoldhimhewasacommonliar。But，ofcourse，aseveryschoolboyknows，WaldaNagasta——

thatis，ChildofKingsinEthiopic——ismuchthesameasBath-Melachim——thatis，DaughterofKingsinHebrew。”

HereCaptainOrmeburstoutlaughing，andremarked，“Itiseasytoseewhyyouarenotaltogetherpopularintheantiquarianworld，Higgs。

Yourmethodsofcontroversyarethoseofasavagewithastoneaxe。”

“Ifyouonlyopenyourmouthtoshowyourignorance，Oliver，youhadbetterkeepitshut。Themenwhocarriedstoneaxeshadadvancedfarbeyondthestateofsavagery。ButIsuggestthatyouhadbettergiveDoctorAdamsachanceoftellinghisstory，afterwhichyoucancriticize。”

“PerhapsCaptainOrmedoesnotwishtobeboredwithit，“Isaid，whereonheansweredatonce:

“Onthecontrary，Ishouldliketohearitverymuch——thatis，ifyouarewillingtoconfideinmeaswellasinHiggs。”

Ireflectedamoment，since，totellthetruth，forsundryreasons，myintentionhadbeentotrustnooneexcepttheProfessor，whomIknewtobeasfaithfulasheisrough。YetsomeinstinctpromptedmetomakeanexceptioninfavourofthisCaptainOrme。Ilikedtheman；

therewassomethingaboutthosebrowneyesofhisthatappealedtome。

Alsoitstruckmeasoddthatheshouldhappentobepresentonthisoccasion，forIhavealwaysheldthatthereisnothingcasualoraccidentalintheworld；thateventhemosttrivialcircumstancesareeitherordained，ortheresultoftheworkingsofsomeinexorablelawwhereoftheendisknownbywhateverpowermaydirectoursteps，thoughitbenotyetdeclared。

“CertainlyIamwilling，“Ianswered；“yourfaceandyourfriendshipwiththeProfessorarepassportenoughforme。OnlyImustaskyoutogivemeyourwordofhonourthatwithoutmyleaveyouwillrepeatnothingofwhatIamabouttotellyou。”

“Ofcourse，“heanswered，whereonHiggsbrokein:

“There，thatwilldo；youdon\'twantusbothtokisstheBook，doyou?

Whosoldyouthatring，andwherehaveyoubeenforthelastdozenyears，andwhencedoyoucomenow?“

“IhavebeenaprisoneroftheKhalifa\'samongotherthings。IhadfiveyearsofthatentertainmentofwhichmybackwouldgivesomeevidenceifIweretostrip。IthinkIamabouttheonlymanwhoneverembracedIslamwhomtheyallowedtolive，andthatwasbecauseIamadoctor，and，therefore，ausefulperson。TherestofthetimeIhavespentwanderingabouttheNorthAfricandesertslookingformyson，Roderick。Youremembertheboy，orshould，foryouarehisgodfather，andIusedtosendyouphotographsofhimasalittlechap。”

“Ofcourse，ofcourse，“saidtheProfessorinanewtone；“IcameacrossaChristmasletterfromhimtheotherday。But，mydearAdams，whathappened?Ineverheard。”

“Hewentuptherivertoshootcrocodilesagainstmyorders，whenhewasabouttwelveyearsold——notverylongafterhismother\'sdeath，andsomewanderingMahditribesmenkidnappedhimandsoldhimasaslave。Ihavebeenlookingforhimeversince，forthepoorboywaspassedonfromtribetotribe，amongwhichhisskillasamusicianenabledmetofollowhim。TheArabscallhimtheSingerofEgypt，becauseofhiswonderfulvoice，anditseemsthathehaslearnedtoplayupontheirnativeinstruments。”

“Andnowwhereishe?“askedHiggs，asonewhofearedtheanswer。

“Heis，orwas，afavouriteslaveamongabarbarous，half-negroidpeoplecalledtheFung，whodwellinthefarinteriorofNorthCentralAfrica。AfterthefalloftheKhalifaIfollowedhimthere；ittookmeseveralyears。SomeBedouinweremakinganexpeditiontotradewiththeseFung，andIdisguisedmyselfasoneofthem。

“Onacertainnightwecampedatthefootofavalleyoutsideagreatwallwhichenclosestheholyplacewheretheiridolis。Irodeuptothiswalland，throughtheopengateway，heardsomeonewithabeautifultenorvoicesinginginEnglish。WhathesangwasahymnthatIhadtaughtmyson。Itbegins:

\'Abidewithme，fastfallstheeventide。\'

“Iknewthevoiceagain。Idismountedandslippedthroughthegateway，andpresentlycametoanopenspace，whereayoungmansatsinginguponasortofraisedbenchwithlampsoneithersideofhim，andalargeaudienceinfront。Isawhisfaceand，notwithstandingtheturbanwhichheworeandhisEasternrobe——yes，andthepassageofallthoseyears——Iknewitforthatofmyson。Somespiritofmadnessenteredintome，andIcalledaloud，\'Roderick，Roderick！\'andhestartedup，staringabouthimwildly。Theaudiencestartedupalso，andoneofthemcaughtsightofmelurkingintheshadow。

“Withahowlofrage，forIhaddesecratedtheirsanctuary，theysprangatme。Tosavemylife，cowardthatIwas，Ifledbackthroughthegates。Yes，afterallthoseyearsofseeking，stillIfledratherthandie，andthoughIwaswoundedwithaspearandstones，managedtoreachandspringuponmyhorse。Then，asIwasheadedofffromourcamp，Igallopedawayanywhere，stilltosavemymiserablelifefromthosesavages，sostronglyistheinstinctofself-preservationimplantedinus。FromadistanceIlookedbackandsawbythelightofthefiredtentsthattheFungwereattackingtheArabswithwhomIhadtravelled，Isupposebecausetheythoughtthempartiestothesacrilege。AfterwardsIheardthattheykilledthemeveryone，poormen，butIescaped，whounwittinglyhadbroughttheirfateuponthem。

“OnandonIgallopedupasteeproad。Irememberhearinglionsroaringroundmeinthedarkness。Irememberoneofthemspringinguponmyhorseandthepoorbeast\'sscream。ThenIremembernomoretillIfoundmyself——Ibelieveitwasaweekorsolater——lyingontheverandahofanicehouse，andbeingattendedbysomegood-lookingwomenofanAbyssiniancastofcountenance。”

“SoundsratherlikeoneofthelosttribesofIsrael，“remarkedHiggssarcastically，puffingathisbigmeerschaum。

“Yes，somethingofthatsort。ThedetailsIwillgiveyoulater。ThemainfactsarethatthesepeoplewhopickedmeupoutsidetheirgatesarecalledAbati，liveinatowncalledMur，andallegethemselvestobedescendedfromatribeofAbyssinianJewswhoweredrivenoutandmigratedtothisplacefourorfivecenturiesago。Briefly，theylooksomethinglikeJews，practiseaverydebasedformoftheJewishreligion，arecivilizedandcleverafterafashion，butinthelaststageofdecadencefrominterbreeding——aboutninethousandmenistheirtotalfightingforce，althoughthreeorfourgenerationsagotheyhadtwentythousand——andliveinhourlyterrorofexterminationbythesurroundingFung，whoholdtheminhereditaryhateasthepossessorsofthewonderfulmountainfortressthatoncebelongedtotheirforefathers。”

“GibraltarandSpainoveragain，“suggestedOrme。

“Yes，withthisdifference——thatthepositionisreversed，theAbatiofthisCentralAfricanGibraltararedecaying，andtheFung，whoanswertotheSpaniards，arevigorousandincreasing。”

“Well，whathappened?“askedtheProfessor。

“Nothingparticular。ItriedtopersuadetheseAbatitoorganizeanexpeditiontorescuemyson，buttheylaughedinmyface。BydegreesI

foundoutthattherewasonlyonepersonamongthemwhowasworthanythingatall，andshehappenedtobetheirhereditaryrulerwhoborethehigh-soundingtitlesofWaldaNagasta，orChildofKings，andTaklaWarda，orBudoftheRose，averyhandsomeandspiritedyoungwoman，whosepersonalnameisMaqueda——“

“OneofthenamesofthefirstknownQueensofSheba，“mutteredHiggs；

“theotherwasBelchis。”

“Underpretenceofattendinghermedically，“Iwenton，“forotherwisetheirwretchedetiquettewouldscarcelyhaveallowedmeaccesstoonesoexalted，Italkedthingsoverwithher。ShetoldmethattheidoloftheFungisfashionedlikeahugesphinx，orsoIgatheredfromherdescriptionofthething，forIhaveneverseenit。”

“What！“exclaimedHiggs，jumpingup，“asphinxinNorthCentralAfrica！Well，afterall，whynot?SomeoftheearlierPharaohsaresaidtohavehaddealingswiththatpartoftheworld，oreventohavemigratedfromit。IthinkthattheMakreezirepeatsthelegend。I

supposethatitisram-headed。”

“Shetoldmealso，“Icontinued，“thattheyhaveatradition，orratherabelief，whichamountstoanarticleoffaith，thatifthissphinxorgod，which，bytheway，islion，notram-headed，andiscalledHarmac——“

“Harmac！“interruptedHiggsagain。“Thatisoneofthenamesofthesphinx——Harmachis，godofdawn。”

“Ifthisgod，“Irepeated，“shouldbedestroyed，thenationoftheFung，whoseforefathersfashioneditastheysay，mustmoveawayfromthatcountryacrossthegreatriverwhichliestothesouth。Ihaveforgottenitsnameatthemoment，butIthinkitmustbeabranchoftheNile。

“Isuggestedtoherthat，inthecircumstances，herpeoplehadbettertrytodestroytheidol。Maquedalaughedandsaiditwasimpossible，sincethethingwasthesizeofasmallmountain，addingthattheAbatihadlongagolostallcourageandenterprise，andwerecontenttositintheirfertileandmountain-ringedland，feedingthemselveswithtalesofdepartedgrandeurandstrugglingforrankandhigh-

soundingtitles，tillthedayofdoomovertookthem。

“Iinquiredwhethershewerealsocontent，andshereplied，\'Certainlynot\'；butwhatcouldshedotoregenerateherpeople，shewhowasnothingbutawoman，andthelastofanendlesslineofrulers?

“\'RidmeoftheFung，\'sheaddedpassionately，\'andIwillgiveyousucharewardasyouneverdreamed。Theoldcave-cityyonderisfulloftreasurethatwasburiedwithitsancientkingslongbeforewecametoMur。Tousitisuseless，sincewehavenonetotradewith，butI

haveheardthatthepeoplesoftheoutsideworldworshipgold。\'

“\'Idonotwantgold，\'Ianswered；\'Iwanttorescuemysonwhoisaprisoneryonder。\'

“\'Then，\'saidtheChildofKings，\'youmustbeginbyhelpingustodestroytheidoloftheFung。Aretherenomeansbywhichthiscanbedone?\'

“\'Therearemeans，\'Ireplied，andItriedtoexplaintoherthepropertiesofdynamiteandofothermorepowerfulexplosives。

“\'Gotoyourownland，\'sheexclaimedeagerly，\'andreturnwiththatstuffandtwoorthreewhocanmanageit，andIsweartothemallthewealthofMur。Thusonlycanyouwinmyhelptosaveyourson。\'“

“Well，whatwastheend?“askedCaptainOrme。

“This:TheygavemesomegoldandanescortwithcamelswhichwereliterallylowereddownasecretpathinthemountainssoastoavoidtheFung，whoringtheminandofwhomtheyareterriblyafraid。WiththesepeopleIcrossedthedeserttoAssouaninsafety，ajourneyofmanyweeks，whereIleftthemencampedaboutsixteendaysago，biddingthemawaitmyreturn。IarrivedinEnglandthismorning，andassoonasIcouldascertainthatyoustilllived，andyouraddress，fromabookofreferencecalled/Who\'sWho/，whichtheygavemeinthehotel，Icameonhere。”

“Whydidyoucometome?Whatdoyouwantmetodo?“askedtheProfessor。

“Icametoyou，Higgs，becauseIknowhowdeeplyyouareinterestedinanythingantiquarian，andbecauseIwishedtogiveyouthefirstopportunity，notonlyofwinningwealth，butalsoofbecomingfamousasthediscovererofthemostwonderfulrelicsofantiquitythatareleftintheworld。”

“Withaverygoodchanceofgettingmythroatcutthrownin，“grumbledHiggs。

“AstowhatIwantyoutodo，“Iwenton，“Iwantyoutofindsomeonewhounderstandsexplosives，andwillundertakethebusinessofblowinguptheFungidol。”

“Well，that\'seasyenough，anyhow，“saidtheProfessor，pointingtoCaptainOrmewiththebowlofhispipe，andadding，“heisanengineerbyeducation，asoldierandaveryfairchemist；alsoheknowsArabicandwasbroughtupinEgyptasaboy——justthemanforthejobifhewillgo。”

Ireflectedamoment，then，obeyingsomesortofinstinct，lookedupandasked:

“Willyou，CaptainOrme，iftermscanbearranged?“

“Yesterday，“hereplied，colouringalittle，“Ishouldhaveanswered，\'Certainlynot。\'To-dayIanswerthatIampreparedtoconsiderthematter——thatis，ifHiggswillgotoo，andyoucanenlightenmeoncertainpoints。ButIwarnyouthatIamonlyanamateurinthethreetradesthattheProfessorhasmentioned，though，itistrue，onewithsomeexperience。”

“Woulditberudetoinquire，CaptainOrme，whytwenty-fourhourshavemadesuchadifferenceinyourviewsandplans?“

“Notrude，onlyawkward，“hereplied，colouringagain，thistimemoredeeply。“Still，asitisbesttobefrank，Iwilltellyou。YesterdayIbelievedmyselftobetheinheritorofaverylargefortunefromanunclewhosefatalillnessbroughtmebackfromSouthAfricabeforeI

meanttocome，andaswhoseheirIhavebeenbroughtup。To-dayIhavelearnedforthefirsttimethathemarriedsecretly，lastyear，awomanmuchbelowhiminrank，andhasleftachild，who，ofcourse，willtakeallhisproperty，ashediedintestate。Butthatisnotall。

YesterdayIbelievedmyselftobeengagedtobemarried；to-dayIamundeceiveduponthatpointalso。Thelady，“headdedwithsomebitterness，“whowaswillingtomarryAnthonyOrme\'sheirisnolongerwillingtomarryOliverOrme，whosetotalpossessionsamounttounder￡10，000。Well，smallblametoherortoherrelations，whicheveritmaybe，especiallyasIunderstandthatshehasabetterallianceinview。Certainlyherdecisionhassimplifiedmatters，“andheroseandwalkedtotheotherendoftheroom。

“Shockingbusiness，“whisperedHiggs；“beeninfamouslytreated，“andheproceededtoexpresshisopinionoftheladyconcerned，ofherrelatives，andofthelateAnthonyOrme，shipowner，inlanguagethat，ifprinted，wouldrenderthishistoryunfitforfamilyreading。TheoutspokennessofProfessorHiggsiswellknownintheantiquarianworld，sothereisnoneedformetoenlargeuponit。

“WhatIdonotexactlyunderstand，Adams，“headdedinaloudvoice，seeingthatOrmehadturnedagain，“andwhatIthinkweshouldbothliketoknow，is/your/exactobjectinmakingtheseproposals。”

“IamafraidIhaveexplainedmyselfbadly。IthoughtIhadmadeitclearthatIhaveonlyoneobject——toattempttherescueofmyson，ifhestilllives，asIbelievehedoes。Higgs，putyourselfinmyposition。Imagineyourselfwithnothingandnoonelefttocareforexceptasinglechild，andthatchildstolenawayfromyoubysavages。

Imagineyourself，afteryearsofsearch，hearinghisveryvoice，seeinghisveryface，adultnow，butthesame，thethingyouhaddreamedofanddesiredforyears；thatforwhichyouwouldhavegivenathousandlivesifyoucouldhavehadtimetothink。Andthentherushofthehowling，fantasticmob，thebreakdownofcourage，oflove，ofeverythingthatisnobleunderthepressureofprim?valinstinct，whichhasbutonesong——Saveyourlife。Lastly，imaginethiscowardsaved，dwellingwithinafewmilesofthesonwhomhehaddeserted，andyetutterlyunabletorescueoreventocommunicatewithhimbecauseofthepoltrooneryofthoseamongwhomhehadrefuged。”

“Well，“gruntedHiggs，“Ihaveimaginedallthathigh-falutinglot。

Whatofit?Ifyoumeanthatyouaretoblame，Idon\'tagreewithyou。

Youwouldn\'thavehelpedyoursonbygettingyourownthroatcut，andperhapshisalso。”

“Idon\'tknow，“Ianswered。“IhavebroodedoverthethingsolongthatitseemstomethatIhavedisgracedmyself。Well，therecameachance，andItookit。Thislady，WaldaNagasta，orMaqueda，who，I

think，hadalsobroodedoverthings，mademeanoffer——IfancywithouttheknowledgeorconsentofherCouncil。\'Helpme，\'shesaid，\'andI

willhelpyou。Savemypeople，andIwilltrytosaveyourson。Icanpayforyourservicesandthoseofanywhomyoumaybringwithyou。\'

“Iansweredthatitwashopeless，asnoonewouldbelievethetale，whereonshedrewfromherfingerthethrone-ringorStatesignetwhichyouhaveinyourpocket，Higgs，saying:\'MymothershavewornthissincethedaysofMaqueda，QueenofSheba。IftherearelearnedmenamongyourpeopletheywillreadhernameuponitandknowthatI

speaknolie。Takeitasatoken，andtakealsoenoughofourgoldtobuythestuffswhereofyouspeak，whichhidefiresthatcanthrowmountainsskyward，andtheservicesofskilledandtrustymenwhoaremastersofthestuff，twoorthreeofthemonly，formorecannotbetransportedacrossthedesert，andcomebacktosaveyoursonandme。\'

That\'sallthestory，Higgs。Willyoutakethebusinesson，orshallI

tryelsewhere?Youmustmakeupyourmind，becauseIhavenotimetolose，ifIamtogetintoMuragainbeforetherains。”

“Gotanyofthatgoldyouspokeofaboutyou?“askedtheProfessor。

Idrewaskinbagfromthepocketofmycoat，andpouredsomeoutuponthetable，whichheexaminedcarefully。

“Ringmoney，“hesaidpresently，“mightbeAnglo-Saxon，mightbeanything；dateabsolutelyuncertain，butfromitsappearanceIshouldsayslightlyalloyedwithsilver；yes，thereisabitwhichhasoxydized——undoubtedlyold，that。”

Thenheproducedthesignetfromhispocket，andexaminedtheringandthestoneverycarefullythroughapowerfulglass。

“Seemsallright，“hesaid，“andalthoughIhavebeengreenedinmytime，Idon\'tmakemanymistakesnowadays。Whatdoyousay，Adams?

Musthaveitback?Asacredtrust！Onlylenttoyou！Allright，takeitbyallmeans。/I/don\'twantthething。Well，itisariskyjob，andifanyoneelsehadproposedittome，I\'dhavetoldhimtogoto——Mur。But，Adams，myboy，yousavedmylifeonce，andneversentinabill，becauseIwashardup，andIhaven\'tforgottenthat。AlsothingsareprettyhotformeherejustnowoveracertaincontroversyofwhichIsupposeyouhaven\'theardinCentralAfrica。IthinkI\'llgo。

Whatdoyousay，Oliver?“

“Oh！“saidCaptainOrme，wakingupfromareverie，“ifyouaresatisfied，Iam。Itdoesn\'tmattertomewhereIgo。”

CHAPTERII

THEADVICEOFSERGEANTQUICK

Atthismomentafearfulhubbubarosewithout。Thefrontdoorslammed，acabdroveofffuriously，apoliceman\'swhistleblew，heavyfeetwereheardtrampling；thencameaninvocationof“IntheKing\'sname，“

answeredby“Yes，andtheQueen\'s，andtherestoftheRoyalFamily\'s，andifyouwantit，takeit，youchuckle-headed，flat-footed，pot-

belliedPeelers。”

Thenfollowedtumultindescribableasofheavymenandthingsrollingdownthestairs，withcriesoffearandindignation。

“Whatthedickensisthat?“askedHiggs。

“ThevoicesoundedlikethatofSamuel——ImeanSergeantQuick，“

answeredCaptainOrmewithevidentalarm；“whatcanhebeafter?Oh，I

know，itissomethingtodowiththatinfernalmummyyouunwrappedthisafternoon，andaskedhimtobringroundafterdinner。”

Justthenthedoorburstopen，andatall，soldier-likeformstalkedin，carryinginhisarmsacorpsewrappedinasheet，whichhelaiduponthetableamongthewineglasses。

“I\'msorry，Captain，“hesaid，addressingOrme，“butI\'velosttheheadofthedeparted。Ithinkitisatthebottomofthestairswiththepolice。Hadnothingelsetodefendmyselfwith，sir，againsttheirunwarrantedattacks，sobroughtthebodytothepresentandcharged，thinkingitverystiffandstrong，butregrettosaynecksnapped，andthatdeceased\'sheadisnowunderarrest。”

AsSergeantQuickfinishedspeaking，thedooropenedagain，andthroughitappearedtwoveryflurriedanddishevelledpolicemen，oneofwhomheld，asfaraspossiblefromhisperson，thegrizzlyheadofamummybythelonghairwhichstilladheredtotheskull。

“Whatdoyoumeanbybreakingintomyroomslikethis?Where\'syourwarrant?“askedtheindignantHiggsinhishighvoice。

“There！“answeredthefirstpoliceman，pointingtothesheet-wrappedformonthetable。

“Andhere！“addedthesecond，holdinguptheawfulhead。“Asindutybound，weaskexplanationfromthatmanofthesecretconveyanceofacorpsethroughtheopenstreets，whereonheassaultsuswiththesame，forwhichassault，pendinginvestigationofthecorpse，Iarresthim。

Now，Guv\'nor“(addressingSergeantQuick)，“willyoucomealongwithusquietly，ormustwetakeyou?“

TheSergeant，whoseemedtobeinarticulatewithwrath，madeadashfortheshroudedobjectonthetable，withtheintention，apparently，ofoncemoreusingitasaweaponofoffence，andthepolicemendrewtheirbatons。

“Stop，“saidOrme，thrustinghimselfbetweenthecombatants，“areyouallmad?Doyouknowthatthiswomandiedaboutfourthousandyearsago?“

“Oh，Lord！“saidthepolicemanwhoheldthehead，addressinghiscompanion，“itmustbeoneofthemmummieswhattheydigupintheBritishMuseum。Seemsprettyancientandspicy，don\'tit?“andhesniffedatthehead，thensetitdownuponthetable。

Explanationsfollowed，andafterthewoundeddignityofthetwoofficersoftheForcehadbeensoothedwithsundryglassesofportwineandawrittenlistofthenamesofallconcerned，includingthatofthemummy，theydeparted。

“Youtakemyadvice，bobbies，“IheardtheindignantSergeantdeclaimoutsidethedoor，“anddon\'tyoubelievethingsisalwayswhattheyseem。Apartyain\'tnecessarilydrunkbecauseherollsaboutandfallsdowninthestreet；hemaybemad，or\'ungry，orepileptic，andabodyain\'talwaysabodyjestbecauseit\'sdeadandcoldandstiff。Why，men，asyou\'veseen，itmaybeamummy，whichisquiteadifferentthing。IfIwastoputonthatbluecoatofyours，wouldthatmakemeapoliceman?Goodheavens！Ishouldhopenot，forthesakeoftheArmytowhichIstillbelong，beingintheReserve。Whatyoubobbiesneedistostudyhumannatureandcultivateobservation，whichwilllearnyouthedifferencebetweenanew-laidcorpseandamummy，andmanyotherthings。Nowyoulaymywordstoheart，andyou\'llbothofyourisetosuperintendents，insteadofrunningindaily\'drunks\'untilyouretireonapension。Good-night。”

Peacehavingbeenrestored，andtheheadlessmummyremovedintotheProfessor\'sbedroom，sinceCaptainOrmedeclaredthathecouldnottalkbusinessinthepresenceofabody，howeverancient，weresumedourdiscussion。Firstofall，atHiggs\'ssuggestionIdrewupabriefmemorandumofagreementwhichsetouttheobjectsoftheexpedition，andprovidedfortheequaldivisionamongstusofanyprofitthatmightaccrue；intheeventofthedeathofoneormoreofus，thesurvivorsorsurvivortotaketheirorhisshare。

TothisarrangementpersonallyIobjected，whodesiredneithertreasurenorantiquities，butonlytherescueofmyson。Theotherspointedout，however，that，likemostpeople，Imightinfuturewantsomethingtoliveon，orthatifIdidnot，intheeventofhisescape，myboycertainlywould；sointheendIgaveway。

ThenCaptainOrmeverysensiblyaskedforadefinitionofourrespectiveduties，anditwassettledthatIwastobeguidetotheexpedition；Higgs，antiquarian，interpreter，and，onaccountofhisvastknowledge，generalreferee；andCaptainOrme，engineerandmilitarycommander，withtheprovisothat，intheeventofadifferenceofopinion，thedissentientwastoloyallyacceptthedecisionofthemajority。

Thiscuriousdocumenthavingbeencopiedoutfair，IsignedandpassedittotheProfessor，whohesitatedalittle，but，afterrefreshinghimselfwithafurtherminuteexaminationofSheba\'sring，signedalso，remarkingthathewasaninfernalfoolforhispains，andpushedthepaperacrossthetabletoOrme。

“Stopaminute，“saidtheCaptain；“Iforgotsomething。Ishouldlikemyoldservant，SergeantQuick，toaccompanyus。He\'saveryhandymanatapinch，especiallyif，asIunderstand，weareexpectedtodealwithexplosiveswithwhichhehashadalottodointheEngineersandelsewhere。IfyouagreeIwillcallhim，andaskifhewillgo。I

expecthe\'ssomewhereround。”

Inodded，judgingfromtheepisodeofthemummyandthepolicemanthattheSergeantwaslikelytobeausefulman。AsIwassittingnexttoit，IopenedthedoorfortheCaptain，whereontheerectshapeofSergeantQuick，whohadclearlybeenleaningagainstit，literallyfellintotheroom，remindingmemuchofanoversetwoodensoldier。

“Hullo！“saidOrmeas，withouttheslightestchangeofcountenance，hisretainerrecoveredhimselfandstoodtoattention。“Whatthedeuceareyoudoingthere?“

“Sentrygo，Captain。Thoughtthepolicemightchangetheirmindsandcomeback。Anyorders，Captain?“

“Yes。IamgoingtoNorthCentralAfrica。Whencanyoubereadytostart?“

“TheBrindisimailleavesto-morrownight，Captain，ifyoutravelbyEgypt，butifyougobyTunis，7。15a。m。SaturdayisthetimefromCharingCross。Only，asIunderstandthathighexplosivesandarmshavetobeprovided，thesemighttakeawhiletolayinandpacksoastodeceivecustoms。”

“Youunderstand！“saidOrme。“Pray，howdoyouunderstand?“

“Doorsintheseoldhousesareapttogetawayfromtheirframes，Captain，andthegentlemanthere“——andhepointedtotheProfessor——

“hasavoicethatcarrieslikeadog-whistle。Oh，nooffence，sir。A

clearvoiceisanexcellentthing——thatis，ifthedoorsfit“——andalthoughSergeantQuick\'swoodenfacedidnotmove，Isawhishumorousgreyeyestwinklebeneaththebushyeyebrows。

Weburstoutlaughing，includingHiggs。

“Soyouarewillingtogo?“saidOrme。“ButIhopeyouclearlyunderstandthatthisisariskybusiness，andthatyoumaynotcomeback?“

“SpionKopwasabitrisky，Captain，andsowasthatbusinessinthedonga，whereeveryonewashitexceptyouandmeandthesailorman，butwecameback，forallthat。Beggingyourpardon，Captain，thereain\'tnosuchthingasrisk。Mancomesherewhenhemust，anddieswhenhemust，andwhathedoesbetweendon\'tmakeaha\'porthofdifference。”

“Hear，hear，“Isaid；“wearemuchofthesamewayofthinking。”

“Therehavebeenseveralwhoheldthoseviews，sir，sinceoldSolomongavetheladythat“——andhepointedtoSheba\'sring，whichwaslyingonthetable。“Butexcuseme，Captain；howaboutlocalallowances?Nothavingbeenamarryingmanmyself，I\'venonedependentuponme，but，asyouknow，I\'vesistersthathave，andasoldier\'spensiongoeswithhim。Don\'tthinkmegreedy，Captain，“headdedhastily，“but，asyougentlemenunderstand，blackandwhiteatthebeginningsavesbotherattheend“——andhepointedtotheagreement。

“Quiteright。Whatdoyouwant，Sergeant?“askedOrme。

“Nothingbeyondmypay，ifwegetnothing，Captain，butifwegetsomething，wouldfivepercent。betoomuch?“

“Itmightbeten，“Isuggested。“SergeantQuickhasalifetoloseliketherestofus。”

“Thankyoukindly，sir，“heanswered；“butthat，inmyopinion，wouldbetoomuch。Fivepercent。waswhatIsuggested。”

SoitwaswrittendownthatSergeantSamuelQuickwastoreceivefivepercent。ofthetotalprofits，ifany，providedthathebehavedhimselfandobeyedorders。Thenhealsosignedtheagreement，andwasfurnishedwithaglassofwhiskyandwatertodrinktoitsgoodhealth。

“Now，gentlemen，“hesaid，decliningthechairwhichHiggsofferedtohim，apparentlybecause，fromlongcustom，hepreferredhiswooden-

soldierattitudeagainstthewall，“asahumblefive-per-cent。privateinthisveryadventurouscompanyI\'llaskpermissiontosayaword。”

Permissionwasgivenaccordingly，andtheSergeantproceededtoinquirewhatweightofrockitwaswishedtoremove。

ItoldhimthatIdidnotknow，asIhadneverseentheFungidol，butIunderstoodthatitssizewasenormous，probablyaslargeasSt。

Paul\'sCathedral。

“Which，ifsolid，wouldtakesomestirring，“remarkedtheSergeant。

“Dynamitemightdoit，butitistoobulkytobecarriedacrossthedesertoncamelsinthatquantity。Captain，howaboutthempicrates?

YourememberthosenewBoershellsthatblewalotofustokingdomcome，andpoisonedtherest?“

“Yes，“answeredOrme；“Iremember；butnowtheyhavestrongerstuffs——

azo-imides，Ithinktheycallthem——terrificnewcompoundsofnitrogen。Wewillinquireto-morrow，Sergeant。”

“Yes，Captain，“heanswered；“butthepointis，who\'llpay?Youcan\'tbuyhell-fireinbulkfornothing。Icalculatethat，allowingforthepurchaseoftheexplosivesand，say，fiftymilitaryrifleswithammunitionandallothernecessaries，notincludingcamels，theoutfitofthisexpeditioncan\'tcometolessthan￡1，500。”

“IthinkIhavethatamountingold，“Ianswered，“ofwhichtheladyoftheAbatigavemeasmuchasIcouldcarryincomfort。”

“Ifnot，“saidOrme，“althoughIamapoormannow，Icouldfind￡500

orsoinapinch。Sodon\'tletusbotheraboutthemoney。Thequestionis——Areweallagreedthatwewillundertakethisexpeditionandseeitthroughtotheend，whateverthatmaybe?“

Weansweredthatwewere。

“Thenhasanybodyanythingmoretosay?“

“Yes，“Ireplied；“IforgottotellyouthatifweshouldevergettoMur，noneofyoumustmakelovetotheWaldaNagasta。Sheisakindofholyperson，whocanonlymarryintoherownfamily，andtodosomightmeanthatourthroatswouldbecut。”

“Doyouhearthat，Oliver?“saidtheProfessor。“IsupposethattheDoctor\'swarningismeantforyou，astherestofusareratherpastthatkindofthing。”

“Indeed，“repliedtheCaptain，colouringagainafterhisfashion。

“Well，totellyouthetruth，Ifeelabitpastitmyself，and，sofarasIamconcerned，Idon\'tthinkweneedtakethefascinationsofthisblackladyintoaccount。”

“Don\'tbrag，Captain。Pleasedon\'tbrag，“saidSergeantQuickinahollowwhisper。“Womanisjusttheonethingaboutwhichyoucanneverbesure。To-dayshe\'spoison，andto-morrowhoney——Godandtheclimatealoneknowwhy。Pleasedon\'tbrag，orwemaylivetoseeyoucrawlingafterthisoneonyourknees，withthegentinthespecsbehind，andSamuelQuick，whohatesthewholetribeofthem，bringinguptherear。

TemptProvidence，ifyoulike，Captain，butdon\'ttemptwoman，lestsheshouldturnroundandtemptyou，asshehasdonebeforeto-day。”

“Willyoubesogoodastostoptalkingnonsenseandcallacab，“saidCaptainOrmecoldly。ButHiggsbegantolaughinhisrudefashion，andI，rememberingtheappearanceof“BudoftheRose“whensheliftedherveilofceremony，andthesoftearnestnessofhervoice，fellintoreflection。“Blacklady“indeed！What，Iwondered，wouldthisyounggentlemanthinkifeverheshouldlivetosethiseyesuponhersweetandcomelyface?

ItseemedtomethatSergeantQuickwasnotsofoolishashismasterchosetoimagine。CaptainOrmeundoubtedlywasineverywayqualifiedtobeapartnerinourventure；still，Icouldhavewishedeitherthathehadbeenanolderman，orthattheladytowhomhewasrecentlyaffiancedhadnotchosenthisoccasiontobreakherengagement。Indealingwithdifficultanddangerouscombinations，myexperiencehasbeenthatitisalwayswelltoeliminatethepossibilityofaloveaffair，especiallyintheEast。

CHAPTERIII

THEPROFESSORGOESOUTSHOOTING

OfallourtremendousjourneyacrossthedesertuntilwehadpassedtheforestandreachedtheplainswhichsurroundedthemountainsofMur，thereare，Ithink，butfewincidentswithwhichthereaderneedbetroubled。ThefirstofthesewasatAssouan，wherealetterandvarioustelegramsovertookCaptainOrme，which，asbythistimewehadbecomeintimate，heshowedtome。Theyinformedhimthattheclandestineinfantwhomhisuncleleftbehindhimhadsuddenlysickenedanddiedofsomechildishailment，sothathewasonceagainheirtothelargepropertywhichhethoughthehadlost，sincethewidowonlytookalifeinterestinsomeofthepersonalty。I

congratulatedhimandsaidIsupposedthismeantthatweshouldnothavethepleasureofhiscompanytoMur。

“Whynot?“heasked。“IsaidIwasgoingandImeantogo；indeed，I

signedadocumenttothateffect。”

“Idaresay，“Ianswered，“butcircumstancesaltercases。IfImightsayso，anadventurethatperhapswasgoodenoughforayoungandwell-bornmanofspiritandenterprisewithoutanyparticularresources，isnolongergoodenoughforonewhohastheballathisfeet。Thinkwhataballitistoamanofyourbirth，intelligence，record，andnow，greatfortunecometoyouinyouth。Why，withtheseadvantagesthereisabsolutelynothingthatyoucannotdoinEngland。

YoucangointoParliamentandrulethecountry；ifyoulikeyoucanbecomeapeer。Youcanmarryanyonewhoisn\'tofthebloodroyal；inshort，withuncommonlylittleeffortofyourown，yourcareerismadeforyou。Don\'tthrowawayasilverspoonlikethatinorder，perhaps，todieofthirstinthedesertorbekilledinafightamongunknowntribes。”

“Oh，Idon\'tknow，“heanswered。“Ineversetheartmuchonspoons，silverorother。WhenIlostthisoneIdidn\'tcry，andnowthatI

havefounditagainIshan\'tsing。Anyway，Iamgoingonwithyou，andyoucan\'tpreventmeundertheagreement。OnlyasIhavegotsuchalottoleave，IsupposeIhadbettermakeawillfirstandpostithome，whichisabore。”

JustthentheProfessorcamein，followedbyanArabthiefofadealer，withwhomhewastryingtobargainforsomeobjectofantiquity。Whenthedealerhadbeenejectedandthepositionexplainedtohim，Higgs，whowhatevermaybehisfailingsinsmallmatters，isunselfishenoughinbigones，saidthatheagreedwithmeandthoughtthatunderthecircumstances，inhisowninterest，Ormeoughttoleaveusandreturnhome。

“Youmaysaveyourbreath，oldfellow，“answeredtheCaptain，“forthisreasoniffornoother，“andhethrewhimaletteracrossthetable，whichletterIsawafterwards。Tobebrief，itwasfromtheyoungladytowhomhehadbeenengagedtobemarried，andwhoonhislossoffortunehadjiltedhim。Nowsheseemedtohavechangedhermindagain，and，althoughshedidnotmentionthematter，itisperhapsnotuncharitabletosupposethatthenewsofthedeathoftheinconvenientchildhadsomethingtodowithherdecision。

“Haveyouansweredthis?“askedHiggs。

“No，“answeredOrme，settinghismouth。“Ihavenotanswered，andIamnotgoingtoanswerit，eitherinwritingorinperson。Iintendtostartto-morrowforMurandtotravelasfaronthatroadasitpleasesfatetoallow，andnowIamgoingtolookattherocksculpturesbythecataract。”

“Well，that\'sflat，“saidHiggsafterhehaddeparted，“andformypartIamgladofit，forsomehowIthinkhewillbeausefulmanamongthoseFung。Also，ifhewentIexpectthattheSergeantwouldgotoo，andwhereshouldwebewithoutQuick，Ishouldliketoknow?“

AfterwardsIconversedwiththesaidQuickaboutthissamematter，repeatingtohimmyopinions，towhichtheSergeantlistenedwiththedeferencewhichhewasalwayskindenoughtoshowtome。

“Beggingyourpardon，sir，“hesaid，whenIhadfinished，“butIthinkyouarebothrightandwrong。Everythinghastwoends，hasn\'tit?YousaythatitwouldbewickedfortheCaptaintogethimselfkilled，therebeingnowsomuchmoneyforhimtolivefor，seeingthatlifeiscommonasdirtwhilemoneyisprecious，rareandhardtocomeby。Itain\'tthekingsweadmire，it\'stheircrowns；itain\'tthemillionaires，it\'stheirmillions；but，afterall，themillionairesdon\'ttaketheirmillionswiththem，forProvidence，that，likeNature，hateswaste，knowsthatiftheydidthey\'dmelt，soonemandeadgivesanotherbread，asthesayinggoes，orp\'rapsIshouldsaygingerbreadinsuchcases。

“Still，onthewhole，sir，Iadmityouarerightastothesinfulnessofwastingluck。Butnowcomestheotherend。IknowthisyoungladywhattheCaptainwasengagedto，whichheneverwouldhavebeenifhehadtakenmyadvice，sinceofallthefish-bloodedlittleserpentsthateverIseteyesonshe\'stheserpentest，thoughpretty，Iallow。

Solomonsaidinhishastethatanhonestwomanhehadnotfound，butifhehadmettheHonourableMiss——well，nevermindhername——he\'dhavesaiditathisleisure，andgoneonsayingit。Now，nooneshouldnevertakebackaservantwhathasgivennoticeandthensayshe\'ssorry，forifhedoesthesorrowwillbeontheothersidebeforeit\'salldone；andmuchlessshouldhetakebacka/fiancée/(Quicksaida\'finance\')，onthewhole，he\'dbetterdrownhimself——Itrieditonce，andIknow。Sothat\'sthetailofthebusiness。

“But，“hewenton，“ithasacoupleoffinsaswell，likethateelbeastIcaughtintheNile。OneofthemisthattheCaptainpromisedandvowedtogothroughwiththisexpedition，andifaman\'sgottodie，he\'dbetterdiehonestwithoutbreakinghisword。AndtheotheriswhatIsaidtoyouinLondonwhenIsignedon，thathewon\'tdieaminutebeforehistime，andnothingwon\'thappentohim，butwhat\'sboundtohappen，andthereforeitain\'taha\'porthofusebotheringaboutanything，andthat\'swheretheEast\'swellaheadoftheWest。

“Andnow，sir，I\'llgoandlookafterthecamelsandthosehalf-bredJewboyswhatyoucallAbati，butIcallrottensneaks，foriftheygettheirthievingfingersintothosecanistersofpicricsalts，thinkingthey\'rejam，asIfoundthemtryingtodoyesterday，somethingmayhappeninEgyptthat\'llmakethePharaohsturnintheirgravesandtheTenPlagueslooksilly。”

So，havingfinishedhisoration，Quickwent，andinduecoursewestartedforMur。

Thesecondincidentthatisperhapsworthrecordingwasanadventurethathappenedtouswhenwehadcompletedabouttwoofourfourmonths\'journey。

Afterweeksofwearydeserttravel——ifIrememberright，itwasexactlyafortnightafterthedogPharaoh，ofwhichIshallsoonhaveplentytosay，hadcomeintoOrme\'spossession——wereachedanoasiscalledZeu，whereIhadhalteduponmyroaddowntoEgypt。Inthisoasis，which，althoughnotlargeinextent，possessesspringsofbeautifulwaterandgrovesofdate-trees，wewere，asitchanced，verywelcome，sincewhenIwastherebefore，Ihadbeenfortunateenoughtocureitssheikofanattackofophthalmiaandtodoctorseveralofhispeopleforvariousailmentswithgoodresults。So，althoughIwasburningtogetforward，Iagreedwiththeothersthatitwouldbewisetoaccedetotherequestoftheleaderofourcaravan，acleverandresourceful，buttomyminduntrustworthyAbatiofthenameofShadrach，andcampinZeuforaweekorsotorestandfeedourcamels，whichhadwastedalmosttonothingonthescantherbageofthedesert。

ThisShadrach，Imayaddhere，whomhiscompanions，forsomereasonunknowntomeatthattime，calledtheCat，wasremarkableforatriplelineofscarsuponhisface，which，heinformedme，hadbeensettherebytheclawsofalion。NowthegreatenemiesofthispeopleofZeuwerelions，whichatcertainseasonsoftheyear，Isupposewhenfoodgrewscarce，descendedfromtheslopesofarangeofhillsthatstretchedeastandwestatadistanceofaboutfiftymilesnorthoftheoasis，and，crossingtheinterveningdesert，killedmanyoftheZeusheep，camels，andothercattle，andoftenenoughanyofthetribewhomtheycouldcatch。AsthesepoorZeuspracticallypossessednofirearms，theywereatthemercyofthelions，whichgrewcorrespondinglybold。Indeed，theironlyresourcewastokraaltheiranimalswithinstonewallsatnightandtakerefugeintheirhuts，whichtheyseldomleftbetweensunsetanddawn，excepttoreplenishthefiresthattheylittoscareanybeastofpreywhichmightbeprowlingthroughthetown。

Thoughthelionseasonwasnowinfullswing，asithappened，forthefirstfivedaysofourstayatZeuwesawnoneofthesegreatcats，althoughinthedarknessweheardthemroaringinthedistance。Onthesixthnight，however，wewereawakenedbyasoundofwailing，whichcamefromthevillageaboutaquarterofamileaway，andwhenwewentoutatdawntoseewhatwasthematter，weremetbyamelancholyprocessionadvancingfromitswalls。Attheheadofitmarchedthegrey-hairedoldchief，followedbyanumberofscreamingwomen，whointheirexcitement，orperhapsasasignofmourning，hadomittedtomaketheirtoilette，andbyfourmen，whocarriedsomethinghorridonawickerworkdoor。

Soonwelearnedwhathadhappened。Itseemedthathungrylions，twoorthreeofthem，hadbrokenthroughthepalm-leafroofofthehutofoneofthesheik\'swives，shewhoseremainswerestretcheduponthedoor，and，inadditiontokillingher，hadactuallycarriedoffhisson。Nowhecametoimploreuswhitemenwhohadgunstorevengehimonthelions，whichotherwise，havingoncetastedhumanflesh，woulddestroymanymoreofhispeople。

ThroughaninterpreterwhoknewArabic，fornotevenHiggscouldunderstandthepeculiarZeudialect，heexplainedinexcitedandincoherentwordsthatthebeastslayupamongthesand-hillsnotveryfaraway，wheresomethickreedsgrewaroundalittlespringofwater。

WouldwenotcomeoutandkillthemandearntheblessingoftheZeus?