"I know. I can see this. But in my heart of hearts, I don't understand it."
"Strange, sire, that I must give you explanations. You who must know things I shall never know."
"I shall be grateful for the explanation."
"I have found it hard enough to live this long as it is. I loved my friend. I fear for his daughter. I fear for you. I fear to acquire knowledge which I cannot use to any moral purpose."
Again there was a pause.
"You're a wise man," Ramses said." But don't fear for Julie. I will protect Julie, even from myself."
"Take my advice and leave here. There are wild rumours. And the empty coffin, it will be discovered. But if you are gone, all this will die away. It has to die away. The rational mind cannot have it otherwise."
"Yes. I will go. I must see Egypt again. I must see the modern city of Alexandria covering the palaces and streets I knew. I must see Egypt again merely to be done with it, and go on to the modern world. But when, that is the question."
"You'll need papers to travel, sire. In this age, one cannot be a man without an identity. I can obtain those papers for you." Ramses considered. Then: "Tell me where I can find Henry Stratford."
"I don't know that, sire. I might kill him myself now, if I did. He lodges with his father when he chooses. He keeps a mistress as well. I urge you to leave England now, and let this revenge wait for a proper moment. Let me get you the documents you need."
Ramses nodded, but this was not a nod of agreement. He was merely acknowledging the generosity of the advice, Samir knew that.
"How do I reward your loyalty, Samir?" he asked." What do you want that I can give?"
"To be near you, sire. To know you. To hear now and then the smallest part of your wisdom. You have eclipsed the mysteries I loved. You are the mystery now. But I ask nothing, really, except that for your own safety you go. And that you protect Julie Stratford."
Ramses smiled approvingly.
"Get the travel documents for me," he said.
He reached into his pocket and produced a shining gold coin which Samir recognized immediately. He did not need to study the engraving.
"No, sire, I cannot. This is not a coin any longer. It is more. ..."
"Use it, my friend. There are many, many more where it came from. In Egypt I have riches hidden which I myself can no longer measure."
Samir took the coin, though what he would do with it he was not certain.
"I can get what you want."
"And for yourself? Whatever is required that you might travel with us?"
Samir felt his pulse quicken. He stared at the King's face, only partially revealed by the grey light through the door.
"Yes, sire, if that's what you wish. I will gladly go with you."
Ramses made a small polite gesture; Samir at once opened the door; Ramses gave him a little bow and passed out into the rain silently.
For a long time, Samir stood there, feeling the cold spray from outside, yet not moving. Then he closed and locked the door. He walked through the dark corridors of the museum until he had reached the front foyer.
A great statue of Ramses the Great stood there as it had for many years, greeting all those who entered the museum.
It had brought only a passing smile from the King. But Samir stared at it, aware that his attitude was one of silent worship.
Inspector Trent sat at his desk at Scotland Yard pondering. It was past two. Sergeant Gallon had long ago gone home. And he himself was tired. Yet he could not stop thinking of all the aspects of this strange case, which now encompassed a murder.
He had never become accustomed to examining corpses. Yet he'd gone to the morgue to see the body of Tommy Sharpies for one very important reason. A rare Greek coin had been found in Sharples's pocket, a coin identical with the" Cleopatra coins" in the Stratford collection. And there had been a small address book on Sharples's person as well, which contained the name and addresses of Henry Stratford.
Henry Stratford, who had run out of his cousin's house in Mayfair this morning, crying that a mummy had climbed out of its coffin.
Yes, a puzzle.
That Henry Stratford possessed a rare Cleopatra coin would not have surprised anyone. He had