The Last Egyptian

under an expression cold and reserved and a manner dignified and undemonstrative. No one must suspect he was fresh from the desert and the Nile country. The shops of the je

the world contains so many r

Syrians, Turks, Copts and Arabs, clothed in conventional European dress, save for the red fez everywhere prevalent. The burnous and native dress had been abandoned by these aristocrats, and this met with Kāra's full approval. He was not averse to

across the bridge, avoiding the dust and heat and mingling with a procession of beautifully costumed women and handsomely dress

girl with a vacant-faced man for escort. Kāra, as he ate, examined this girl critically, for she was the first of her class he had seen at close range. Her dress was dainty and beautiful; but she was not fat at all. She was vivacious, and talked and laughed with unrestrained liberty. She seemed to i

rose several degrees in Kāra's

e crossed the great bridge of Isma

e great bridge of Isma'il Pa

8

he had not paid an extravagant price for Nephthys after all. These independent, chattering Western women must be t

excellent humor. He had not been obliged to take his roll of papyrus to the museum for a market, but had disposed of it to a private collector for a price far exceeding his expectations, which had not been

in person and was gowned in a snowy and respectable burnous. The objectionable turban had given place to the fez; the red slippers were of excellent morocco. Best

although Kāra might endeavor to be secret and uncommunicative, he was bound to betray himself before very long. Now was the heated term, and e

Tadros had found him, for as yet he had secured no place of residence, and th

, who promptly charged his new guest double the usual rate, and obtained it because the Egyptian was unaware he was being robbed. The room assigned him was a simply furnished, box-like af

ee the dancing girls, and later to a house where they wager money upon a singular and{87} interesting game of red and black. We

am going to bed. Be here to receive my

gasped with

he said, a little sullenly. "T

oes it

ops are open

then, at nine

e but to take his leave. Strange that Kāra had refused the dancing girls and the game table;

und that the young Egyptian had breakf

eading jeweler in

ed again and took his employer to a second-r

ra. "I have seen mu

e altered his plans and took Kāra direct to Andalaft

, briskly, "what sha

Andalaft graciously consented to the interview, and when the Egypti

merchant's table. The latter pounce

ell me, sir, is there any one in Cairo

is the square, flat cutting of the ancients, and shows the stone to be absol

is head with

" said he, "and by the

my important work. But Van der Veen will himself arg

find him?" as

ant refle

ecut, I want Van der Veen to do it himself. He has three sons who a

nd gave it to Kāra. Then he again

hedive has placed with me an order for a necklace of the ancient Egyptian gems; but in two years I have b

hyst. Kāra smiled, and putting his hand in a pocket underneath his burnous, he dre

e you will pay for these, to a

ss as much as possible. Carefully he examined the gems

er figuring a little, "four hun

shoulders and pi

ed; "but their age and cutting give these an{90} add

rchant

ur of precious stones; but, because you love the antique, your partiality induc

ge you to buy. If you cannot afford to pay my price I wil

it matter? The Khedive wishes them, and I

manded, and Kāra took it and went away. Andalaft had made an excellent bargain; y

Veen and his three sons. As a result they agreed, after examining the magnificent diamonds shown them, to devote their exclusive

d promised. Then he had an excellent luncheon and smoked a Cuban cigar. In the afternoon he followed his imploring dragoman

sputing concerning the new papyri. He is much interested in your method of interpreting the

e of the hieroglyphics was well founded, and he was not averse to an argument with the two savants.

scussion could not be interrupted, and it was late in the ev

house in a good part of the city. Somethin

ot of money," obj

the price," returned t

ed himself to watching the Van der Veens recut his treasures, to long conversations with those Egyptologists who were spending the heated term in Cairo, and to a study of the collection of ancient relics in the g

went without protest, for he was making excellent profits from his old-time frien

the evening at the tiny village. Tadros carried Kāra's large trave

e all the dozen or so inhabitants stood in their doorways

and seek a lodging for himself with old Nefert or Amenka. He

finally kissed her lips, declaring that she was steadily improvi

e gaily dressed dragoman came near and stood watching the proceedings. He wore a gre

remarked the dragoman, strokin

t agree with you

the price for her r

man, keep your hands off her while you are

man, turning on his heel. It would not be wise to

threw a chain of beads over the girl's head, and she laughed for very pleasure. S?ra felt of the beads and counted them. They

en Kāra left S

girl and take her to Cairo. Then you shall have the rest

e first she had ever possessed

am proud of you. You have made