The Last Egyptian

ed with oil, on the surface of which a cotton wick floated. The lamp itself was of quaint design

arity of the hollow, part of the rear wall was of solid masonry, while the other part was formed by the cliff itself. Kāra had never before paid much attention to that fact, but now it struck him as very evident that the masonry had been constructed to shut off an orifice too

ed from the corner to the{53} seventh stone. In appearance this was not diffe

the stone. It moved, and gradually swung inward, the left edge

ra at once crept through it, holding his lamp extended before him. Yes; his su

k of stone back to its former position. There was a bronze handl

nd from the left of these rifts and cautiously made his way along the rough floor. At first it seemed that he had made a mistake, for thi

now more even and the way became easier to traverse. A hundred paces farther, the

examined the right wall of the tunnel closely. It contained many irregular cracks and hollows, but one indentation see

ed he might not find this spot, in spite of his gran

beside the arch of the living-room-the Egyptian thrust it into the orifice of the rock and pushed

ing another tunnel running at right angles with the first. Unlike the other, this was no natural fissure of th

nd he knew that he was going still farther beneath the mountain at every step. The atmosphere now became hot and stifling and he{55} found it difficult to breathe; but he continued steadil

ing was fitful and gasping; but he hurried forward and now found

at first sight seemed to block the tunnel. Rude hieroglyphics were graven upon it. Passing around t

iameter. An air-shaft in the dome evidently led to some part of the su

t be the library that

ike receptacles covered with inscriptions and pictures in gaudy colors. In the center o

ranite slab beside his lamp. Then he took from it a

th care. These also he knew well. There were two hundred and eighteen rolls of papyrus in this ancient library, and the knowledge they contained had all been absorbed by the young E

abo and others, as well as the volumes on modern Egyptian and European history that old Hatatcha had purchased in Cairo within the last few years. Several historical stel? of the earlier kings of Egypt also leaned aga

rly as he glance

cient Egypt," he muttered;

to the central slab, dusted them with his rope, and selected fifteen of their number after a cursory glance at their contents. The others he res

rate the blackness but a few feet in advance. But other lamps were suspended from huge bronze brack

. This had been made for Hatatcha in London, during her residence in that city, and secretly transported to this place by devices only known to her. The inscriptions were all in the sign language except the one word, "Hatatcha," which appeared in Roman letters upon the cover. It was empty, of course, and Kāra proceeded to the next slab. Up

yphics relating the life history of their occupants, while on them were crowded curious ushabtiu figures, amulets and scarabs. Finally Kāra reached the end of the chamber and paused

stared at by crowds of curious modern tourists; but this famous one had wisely provided for his own seclusion and that of his posterity. It was Ahtka-Rā who had constructed this hidden

of which might be deemed a{59} fortune to one who, like himself, had existed so long in a lowly condition. But he did n

eventeen steps leading downward; then came a short passage,

ss primarily rifled from the treasure cities of Pithom and Ra

gold. In the center of the room stood twelve alabaster pedestals, two rows of six each, and each pedestal supported a splendid vase containing gems of various sorts. On the floor were numerous other vases and receptacles for jewels and golden ornaments, and one of these Kāra noticed was ye

it. The original store, contained in the twelve great malachite vases, was practically untouched, although Hatatcha must have

They were of all sizes and shades of coloring and were polished in flat surfaces instead of being cut into rose facets acc

e threw back the lid and took from it a massive chain of gold, which he threw over his head. Each link was finely engraved with characters relating the name of some king and a deed he had accomplished. Kāra read some of the inscriptions and was amazed. The chain had originally been made in twelve

s chain. He dropped its links inside his b

held them in trust, Kāra reluctantly prepared to leave the chamber. First, however, he selected twenty-three great diamonds from a jar and concealed them in the folds

ear I have lived," said Kāra. "S

r of rubies again and took all that his fingers could clut

y chamber, and closed the secret slide in the m

g so close at hand? Kāra sighed deeply{62} and held himself pro

carrying them in the front breadth of his burnous while he held fast to the hem. In this way he returned along the arched passage until he came to the rock doo

rn, and it did not take him long to reach the stone wa

nd then caught the handle imbedded in the stone and swung the block upon its pivots. In a momen

during his exploring expedition into the mo

ther's couch, and then threw himself upon his own bed to sleep. He had been awake th

into the jar of rubies again, and t

rubies again, and took all that his