reached him, she would halt and take a little breath, and with renewed
forces she would stumble on a few paces further. It was a very
undignified proceeding and an exhausting one.

At last they reached the level of the tomb; they could safely raise
their eyes. As they did so, Meg gave a sharp cry of surprise. Never
in all the world had she imagined such a wonderful, wonderful sight. A
glitter of gold and white and the gleam of precious stones and the
brilliant hues of vivid enamels, caught her eyes. Freddy was holding
an electric torch in one hand, while with the other he picked up as
fast as he could from the ground the bits of carnelian and turquoise
and blue _lapis-lazuli_ which lay scattered at his feet. Margaret
could see nothing clearly; after the darkness, things were all blurred.
But she recognized the friendly cigarette-boxes; they were there, and
Freddy was filling them as fast as his one hand would allow him.
Thousands of mummy-beads powdered the floor with bright blue. The
white walls showed a wealth of colour in their paintings.

Freddy was in his white flannels; his modern athletic figure seemed
oddly incongruous. He looked up as they appeared.

"Hallo, Meg! Take care--stay where you are--don't move one step
further."

He instantly stopped his work and came to their assistance.

"You can't walk too softly or be too careful. All these things are as
brittle as burnt egg-shells--the slightest jar may shatter them to
atoms." His voice was full of eager happiness.

"Oh, Freddy," Meg said. "It's too wonderful! I never imagined such a
scene. You darling!" She hugged his arm.

"Wait a bit," Freddy said. "There's better things to come. I say,
Mike, keep your coat close to you--that's right. Now, step like cats."

All three became silent as they picked their way gingerly; their
advance required a nicety and precision of step which permitted of no
talking or examination of the scene which enthralled them.

At last they reached an inner chamber, the actual tomb itself. An
exclamation of amazement burst from both Michael and Margaret
simultaneously. It certainly was an extraordinary scene which met
their gaze.

"Good heavens!" Mike said, while Meg caught hold of Freddy's arm. She
was afraid lest their loud cry might shatter the vision before their
eyes. Would it vanish with the coming of the light as the figure of
Akhnaton had vanished two mornings before?

A queen, dressed as a bri