en subconsciously prepared for the tomb to be one of unusual
importance. The soothsayer's prediction had not been mere charlatanry
to him. His secret thoughts were so constantly focussed on what is
termed the superhuman, that Meg's wonder and horror formed only a minor
part of his emotions.

A thousand thoughts had flashed through his mind when he first saw the
amazing display of jewels and faience and gold, the resplendent queen,
whose royal magnificence had mocked at time. The inexhaustible wealth
of buried Egypt forced before his eyes the treasure of gold of which
Akhnaton had spoken, that imperial wealth which he had buried behind
the hills of his fair capital. He felt convinced that it was there; he
felt convinced that his friend in el-Azhar had seen it, just as the
Arab soothsayer had seen the royal effigy dressed as a bride.

Mike had little conversation even for Meg. His mind was harassed and
absorbed. The fresh impetus which he had received was pounding like a
sledge-hammer at his natural and supernatural forces. His natural self
was the devil's advocate, and a very able one. It argued against the
super-instincts which led him to the treasure. It made him practical.
It made him, as Freddy would have declared, "sanely critical of the
insane." It admitted the apparent folly of the thing into which he was
drifting.

He pulled Meg up from her seat on the sand. He realized that her
domestic duties were what her nerves needed; they had lately been
greatly taxed, first by her vision of Akhnaton and now by the
excitement of their entry into the tomb.[1]

A lover's kisses and strong human arms had done much for Meg. She had
a horror of hysterical females. She pulled herself together and
determined to be practical. Only a few moments before she had felt an
almost uncontrollable desire to burst into tears. How thankful she was
that Mike had saved her from the humiliation!

But how in the world was she going to bring herself back to the paltry
things of every day? How was she ever again going to feel that life
was real and actual?

She entered the hut with unwilling feet and troubled mind; for some
unaccountable reason its atmosphere depressed her; she wished to avoid
it--she felt a curious apprehension of bad news or of coming evil. At
the same time, practical work would be beneficial.

As they came in together, Mohammed Ali greeted Michael with the news
that "One lady and one gentleman has come,