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?