oceed from a rat, and was anxious to continue his
investigations.

We went straight to the statue, although Bickley passed the half-buried
machines with evident regret. As we had hoped, the strong light of
the rising sun fell upon it in a vivid ray, revealing all its wondrous
workmanship and the majesty--for no other word describes it--of the
somewhat terrifying countenance that appeared above the wrappings of the
shroud. Indeed, I was convinced that originally this monument had been
placed here in order that on certain days of the year the sun might
fall upon it thus, when probably worshippers assembled to adore their
hallowed symbol. After all, this was common in ancient days: witness
the instance of the awful Three who sit in the deepest recesses of the
temple of Abu Simbel, on the Nile.

We gazed and gazed our fill, at least Bickley and I did, for Bastin was
occupied in making a careful comparison between the head of his wooden
Oro and that of the statue.

"There is no doubt that they are very much alike," he said. "Why,
whatever is that dog doing? I think it is going mad," and he pointed to
Tommy who was digging furiously at the base of the lowest step, as at
home I have seen him do at roots that sheltered a rabbit.

Tommy's energy was so remarkable that at length it seriously attracted
our attention. Evidently he meant that it should do so, for occasionally
he sprang back to me barking, then returned and sniffed and scratched.
Bickley knelt down and smelt at the stone.

"It is an odd thing, Humphrey," he said, "but there is a strange odour
here, a very pleasant odour like that of sandal-wood or attar of roses."

"I never heard of a rat that smelt like sandal-wood or attar of roses,"
said Bastin. "Look out that it isn't a snake."

I knelt down beside Bickley, and in clearing away the deep dust from
what seemed to be the bottom of the step, which was perhaps four feet
in height, by accident thrust my amateur spade somewhat strongly against
its base where it rested upon the rocky floor.

Next moment a wonder came to pass. The whole massive rock began to turn
outwards as though upon a pivot! I saw it coming and grabbed Bickley by
the collar, dragging him back so that we just rolled clear before the
great block, which must have weighed several tons, fell down and crushed
us. Tommy saw it too, and fled, though a little late, for the edge
of the block caught the tip of his tail and caused him to emit a most
pier