xcavation camp which has just been sanctioned by the
Minister of Public Works. We are engaged in making temporary
researches. The time-limit is one month."

Without being in the least discourteous, his words conveyed the
impression that in so short a time there was more to be done than talk
to curious travellers.

"How long has the camp been here?" Michael asked. "I hope you won't
think my questions impertinent. I have a very particular reason for
wishing to know."

The blue eyes in the thin face became more alert. They searched
Michael's face with the same scrutiny as they searched the debris of
the ruins.

"About four days," he said coldly.

"Has the Government claimed the site?" Michael's voice trembled as he
asked the question; it was so hard to keep cool.

"The Government is entitled to expropriate any land containing
antiquities on paying a valuation and ten per cent. over, but this, of
course, was not private property. It belongs to the Government."

"Yes, of course. I know something about these new rules--I have been
working with Lampton in the Valley."

"Oh!" The stranger's voice at once became cordial and intimate. "I
didn't know that I was speaking to a fellow-digger. How's Lampton?"

"I wasn't actually digging--I was doing some painting for him, and
inking the pottery drawings. His latest discovery has developed
amazing theories."

"So I've heard. But you look a bit done up. Come inside and have a
drink." Before entering the tent, the stranger looked round. "Who's
your man? Is he all right?"

"He's one of Lampton's men--absolutely trustworthy. He's been more
than a servant to me for some weeks now." Michael paused, and then
said abruptly, "Who told the Government of this site? What do you
expect to find?"

"Will you first tell me where you got your information? Did you know
we were here?"

"The _Omdeh_ in the subterranean village spoke of it. He told me that
the natives had discovered a hidden treasure, a sort of King Solomon's
Mine, and that they were wading knee-deep in jewels and falling over
crocks stuffed with Nubian gold--a desert fairytale, I suppose?"

"Absolutely! If there ever was any gold, it was not here when we
arrived, and as for the jewels. . . !" He laughed. "Hallo! Are you
feeling queer?"

Michael had managed to get inside the tent, but it was the limit of
what his legs and head were fit for. He collapsed on to a lounge, made
of wooden boxes co