The Last Egyptian

d him into the

he said-"do you wish m

old," replied Kāra,

d! To

ey, the En

an exclamatio

you met hi

. His boat will come to-ni

to his own hands, and his disappointment was keen to find that this isolated Egyptian of an out-of-the-way rock village had already been ap

ou," he ventur

replied Kāra,

be well for him, the dragoman, to get his one roll in first, at the highest possible price. That could easily be accomplished. Winston's dahabeah would consume four or five days on the

yself shortly. If you are there, I would

and faded turban. He had been a native of Fedah himself, and had known "the royal one," as he scornfully called Kāra, from boyhood. Until now he had regarded him as a perm

o and employing the brilliantly appareled dragoman was a marvel that fairly astounded Tadros. Yet, why not? He would have money. Ta

cendingly. "You shall have the advantage of

ned the Egyptian, "and I wil

goman, watching him go, decided to make

inston Bey purchased the papyrus rolls? Would not Tadros

e, and bargained with her for a loaf and a bowl of milk. Also he acquired from her a large, coarse sack. In exchange

uch refreshed. Then he carried the sack to hi

b ring that his grandmother had sometimes worn, and a slender dagger with a steel blade. The b

d or stolen during his absence; but the room was bare of anything to tempt a thief or a despoiler. So he

mother, he had kept his dahabeah in the neighborhood, ignoring the protests of his unhappy Arab crew. The afternoon following his interview with Kāra, he landed near the group of palms an h

mination, and he had resolved to keep his appointment each day for a week at least before considering his future actions.

ing in the shade, his heart gave a joyful bound. He hurried forward and recognized Kāra, who

beside the Egyptian, and his voice sounded

rother?" he

, Hatatcha, is

an shrank ba

ve kill

e was dying when I returned home after my conversation w

you learn

eek under the rushes of her bed for my inheritance, and then Anubis too

t having interviewed the old woman in person and endeavore

sack?" he inquired,

itance,"

does it

olls of ancient pa

mbling with sudden excitement. "Let

id not

aid he. "Will you take m

re. Come to th

an then examine the papyri at your leisure and

he stifling heat was all forgotten. Hatatcha's unfortunate death was forgotten. A treasure had been

apyri with amazement. Each one was perfectly pr

inary!" he observed. "Where,

covered by the rushes

head to look at t

not been there l

shrug, "is a matter of w

arefully unroll

by the poet Pen-ta-urt. And it is a co

te it. Winston's eyes sparkled. This Egyptian really knew the hieroglyphics better than he did. His assist

e of his invasion of Syria. It was beautifully executed, and would prove a

f worth save for their age and beauty of execution. Still, as a collection, the fourteen rolls constituted a r

was given a breakfast such as he had never before tasted. The fragrant coffee was a revelation to him, and the chops and fruit made his eyes

he also bestowed upon Kāra one of his choicest{78} cigars, an

etly enjoying their

sell me

repli

pounds for them. That, you know, is

al calculation a

e other hand it may be too much altogether. Until I have exami

frowning. "I am sure it is fair, and even liberal.

what

terday, and paid three

on sm

e. "Few women are worth what they cost, believe me, a

he grave Kāra. "I will conceal my annoyan

Darius Hystaspes left?" inquired

" said the other

shman was

ive pounds each f

re yours," d

the bronze vase, which also changed

s all?" ask

all," s

n Cairo I will take you to my banker and transfer to your account the entire amount due you. You may draw

," replied t

contempt. He also examined intently the Englishman's dress. When the boat tied up at Assyut to allow Winston to visit a friend who was convalesc

stealthily transferred the contents of his turban to a chamois bag, which he f

gathered at the ankles in Arab style, and over these a flowing white burnous of spotless purity. Upon his head was a red fez; upon his feet red sli

ptian with approval. Then his eye caught the c

lutching at the chain to examine on

t is the record of the kings, my ancestors, from Mēnēs to Ahtka-Rā," and he explained the meaning o

xclaimed the savant, filled with unbo

oyal blood," answered the other, proudly. "W

m that moment he entertained a new respect for thi

, and his identity was thus established beyond a doubt. The scarab, of unquestionable antiquity, was likewise a p

is was the most satisfactory luxury that attended his new condition, and

in Cairo on the morni

eed upon to the young Egyptian's credit. Kāra, who wrote English in a clear and delicat

" inquired

t located," was the answer. "To-mor

found," said Winston, "for I must in

haste to the museum, there to show his new-fou