The Menzies Museum (scene of my first meeting with Moris Klaw) was not yet opened to the public when Coram (the curator), Moris Klaw, Grimsby, and I stood in the Egyptian Room before a case containing mummies. The room adjoining--the Greek Room--had been the scene of the dreadful tragedies which first had acquainted me with the wonderful methods of the eccentric investigator. “Whoever broke into Sotheby’s last night, Mr. Klaw,” said Grimsby, “knew the ins and outs of the place; knew it backward. It’s my idea that he was known to the people there. After having cut off the head of the mummy he probably walked out openly. Then, again, it must have been somebody who knew the habits of Mr. Pettigrew’s household that got at _his_ mummy. Of course”--his eyes twinkled with a satisfaction which he could not conceal--“I’m very sorry to hear that our man has proved too clever for _you!_ Think of a burglar breaking into Mr. Moris Klaw’s house!” “Think of it, my friend,” rumbled the other; “if it makes you laugh go on thinking of it, and you will grow fat!” Grimsby openly winked at me. He was out of his depth himself, and was not displeased to find the omniscient Moris Klaw apparently in a similar position. “I am not resentful,” continued Klaw, “and I will capture for you the mummy man.” “What?” cried Grimsby. “Are you on the track?” “I will tell you something, my laughing friend. You will secretly watch this Egyptian Room like the cat at the mouse-hole, and presently--I expect it will be at night--he will come here, this hunter of mummies!” Grimsby stared incredulously. “I don’t doubt your word, Mr. Klaw,” he said; “but I don’t see how you can possibly know that. Why should he go for the mummies here rather than for those in one of the other museums or in private collections?” “Why do you order a bottle of Bass,” rasped Klaw, “in a saloon, rather than a bottle of water or a bottle of vinegar? It is because what you want is a bottle of Bass. Am I a damn fool? There are others. I am not alone in my foolishness!” The group broke up: Grimsby, very puzzled, going off to make arrangements to have the Egyptian Room watched night and day, and Coram, Klaw, and I walking along in the direction of the Greek Room. “I have no occasion to remind you, Mr. Klaw,” said Coram, “that the Menzies Museum is a hard nut for any burglar to crack. We have a night watchman, you will remember, who hourly patrols every apartment. For any one to break into the Egyptian Room, force one of the cases and take out a mummy, would be a task extremely difficult to perform undetected.” “This mummy hunter,” replied Klaw, “can perform it with ease; but because we shall all be waiting for him he cannot perform it undetected.” “I shouldn’t think there is much likelihood of any attempt during the day?” I said.