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It makes me nervous to sleepwith an unlocked door.
Here, effendi, he said in a
low voice, is the sheath of the royaldagger. Then she bentimpulsively, touched
her lips to Blisss forehead, and returned toher room. Forseveral moments he
beat the devils tattoo on a large, vellum-boundcopy of Malleus Maleficarum.
It
wasnearly two oclock, but Markham showed no indication of going home. The fact
is, Hani,were deuced interested in the sheath.
No telling how shed react to the
theft ofsuch a valuable treasure. And be so good, Vance requested, as to knock
on Mr.
Meryt-Amenwould have had no reason to go into the hall. But, Markham old
dear, I knew who hurled the bejewelled bodkin. And now I think Ill take two
more hours sleep. Ill bet the Egyptian Government doesnt know aboutit. A little
later Meryt-Amen went up-stairs, and I sat here until about half past ten
tryingto read. May I be permitted to ask when you first saw this royal dagger?
Markham studied Vance with baffled curiosity.
The unexpected sound in that dim
quiet house startled us, and weinstinctively turned.
Heath picked up the
receiver and asked for a certainnight official of the company.
Vance, if he
does that, no juryllconvict him.
After severalminutes he pushed the instrument
from him.
I suppose, he said, with a tinge of sarcasm, you can tell usexactly
where we can find the sheath.
Presentlyhe stopped before Markham, who was
watching him uneasily. You do not think that it could have been Mrs.
Salveter
lighted a Régienervously, and drew several deep inhalations on it. Shehas
peculiar loyalties in regard to her native country, and thedoctor respects
them.
Then:Did you hear footsteps on the stairs or along the
second-floorcorridor shortly after midnight? Vance made a slight gesture of
impatience. But no oneto my knowledge has been in there to-night. For the next
fifteen minutes he stretched out lazily and closed hiseyes. Well wait a while
andphone him there again. A little later Meryt-Amen went up-stairs, and I sat
here until about half past ten tryingto read. Hes a kind of modern Theogonius,
who has found it the partof wisdom to simulate mental inferiority.
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