| 7 That evening, as he went on his rounds, the dread in the heart of the young man subsided and the knots in his chest loosened. This night, the museum seemed at peace and a full moon cast a benign light through the windows. Sayeed did not care to think about the museum as it must be during the daytime when it was filled with tourists and chattering gawkers. Except for some unsettling incidents, Said felt that, at night, he was the master of all he surveyed. Although he could not touch the splendid jewels and diadems or trace his fingers over the smooth curves of alabaster objects, Sayeed suddenly realized that he did not want to lose these treasures. Were he to do so, Sayeed sensed that he would feel impoverished forever. This confusing self-knowledge made the watchman want to confide in someone, someone who would understand and advise him as to what to do about his engagement. He must speak with Dr. Rubin! But Dr. Rubin was his superior in every sense and would probably be shocked to be consulted about such matters, perhaps even angry. Yet his sudden need for the American overcame Sayeed’s qualms and he made his way to Room 52. Room 52, as usual, was locked but Said saw a light filtering through the keyhole. Sayeed’s hand and arm felt as heavy as lead, but he formed a fist and gave two sharp raps on the door. “Dr. Rubin” he called out, “it is I, Sayeed!” Sayeed heard the approach of the doctor and the door opened. He half expected the Egyptologist would look annoyed, but Dr. Rubin only appeared expectant. “What is it, Sayeed?” he asked, pleasant as always. “Is something wrong?” Dr. Rubin came out and shut the door behind him. His eyes were the nicest Sayeed had ever seen in the face of a man, sad, wise and humorous—all at the same time. “Dr. Rubin, sir,” the young man blurted in his nervous state, “what is in there? How can a public museum have such a terrible secret?” The scientist laughed. “Sayeed, there is no secret at all. You may come in if you wish. But, I warn you, some men who have visited Room 52 have left it sweating and ill. This room is full of dead men, Sayeed, and they don’t look very pretty, I’m afraid. Even during museum hours, no one may enter here without permission.” “I don’t fear dead men” Sayeed heard himself say, and so, Dr. Rubin got out of his way and allowed him to enter Room 52. The American had spoken truly. The room contained a great many dead persons, among them the greatest pharaohs of the 18th and 19th Dynasties, as Dr. Rubin explained. The American, seeing that Sayeed looked neither ill nor uneasy, introduced them by name. Sayeed heard Ramesses, Seti, Thutmose and Amenhotep pronounced, mighty rulers who were now terribly emaciated, dried and blackened mummies in various states of preservation or decay. It was hard to be sure which. NEXT PAGE |