| 8 “They are not frightening, only pitiful,” were the words that came to Sayeed’s lips. “Some were perhaps more frightening alive.” “You have that right!” agreed Dr. Rubin. “They were very warlike—some of them. The scourge of other nations.” “But Egypt was very great then” Sayeed commented firmly. “Because of these men. Dr. Rubin, there is a terrible war coming.” “Have you been reading the papers?” asked the Egyptologist. “I never read the papers,” replied Sayeed. “I never got in the habit. I hardly talk to people even—just sleep all day and...at night I am here.” “Then how do you know about the war in Europe?” “Ah!” sighed Sayeed. “Then it is true! But it won’t stay so far away. I don’t think it can.” Dr. Rubin stared at him. “No, perhaps not.” The Egyptian changed the subject. “So—that is why the door must be kept locked. Out of respect for the dead.” “I’m not sure of the reason,” admitted Dr. Rubin, “but I have heard the rumor that the night watchmen over the years have requested that Room 52 be locked at night. Some strange things have been reported. I’ve imagined a few things, myself, since I’ve been here.” “Such as voices—people talking?” Said wanted to know. The American shrugged. “You know, Sayeed, I wish all these in here would start speaking. It certainly would make my job easier. No—I certainly wouldn’t mind that at all.” Then Sayeed told Dr. Rubin that he had read that some old priests had hidden the bodies of the kings in a cave and that they were brought on the river to the museum. “And now you watch over them,” he added, “like the old priests. Well, it is fitting.” “Why do you say that?” “Surely your ancestors must have come from Egypt” Sayeed told him. The American smiled. “They were just slaves here once. So it is written.” “Slaves!” echoed Sayeed. “Well—never mind. It is no shame. It has been told in stories that even a slave or a peasant girl has given birth to a prince in the land of Egypt. And you have returned to this place. You did not forget our land.” NEXT PAGE |