Then the procession started. When Miss Ottley saw her father being carried out, she was so surprised that she stood dumb. Turning round a little later I saw that she and her friends were conversing amiably. Arrived at the tents, I fixed the patient comfortably, then arranged the furniture in both apartments; the outer, of course, was to be Miss Ottley's room. When all was done, I dismissed the fellaheen to other tasks and walked up to Ottley's cot. "Sir Robert," said I. His eyes opened and he looked at me. "You know that your friend, Dr. Belleville, has come?" "Yes--we have had a chat." "So. Well, I now propose to turn the case over to him. Your recovery should be rapid. You are already practically convalescent." "You are leaving me?" "You no longer need my services." "How can I ever repay you, Pinsent, for your extreme kindness to me?" "Easily; let me be present when you open the coffin of Ptahmes." "What?" "Ah!" said I, "I forgot." I then told him of my experiment with the sarcophagus, and the perfume. He listened with the most passionate attention. Finally he said: "You are not certain the sarcophagus does contain the body, though?" "Not certain, Sir Robert." "Yet you told me, if I remember aright, that, that----" "You were dying," I interrupted. "I had to arouse you. But, after all, I feel sure your desire will be gratified. I have no sort of doubt but that a body lies in the coffin." "Nor I," said he. "The papyrus speaks of an essential oil the mere scent of which arrests decay. Ptahmes alone knew the secret of its preparation. But the sarcophagus must be guarded, Pinsent." "I'll fix a watch," I said, and held out my hand. "Good-bye, sir." "You are returning to your camp?" "Yes." "Then au revoir, Pinsent. I shall send for you as soon as I am well enough to investigate the coffin." "Thank you." But he continued to hold my hand and looked me in the eyes earnestly. "Be careful of yourself," he murmured. "Careful," I repeated, puzzled. "Ay," he murmured still lower, "you have incurred the curse unwittingly--but still you have incurred it." "What curse?" "The curse which Ptahmes directed against all desecrators of his tomb." I thought he raved, and felt his pulse. But it was steady as a rock. "Come, come," I said with a smile. "I shall be thinking you a superstitious man, Sir Robert, presently." "Do you believe in God?" he asked. "Yes," I cried, astounded. "Then are you not superstitious, too? But there, I have warned you. I'll say no more. Good-bye. Kindly send my daughter to me." I found Miss Ottley and the two Englishmen at the door of the outer tent. "Sir Robert wants you, Miss Ottley," I observed, and passed on. I had hardly gone a dozen yards, however, when I found I had a companion on either side of me. Dr. Belleville immediately opened fire. "You have been taking time by the forelock, Dr. Pinsent," he said softly. "I should hardly have moved the patient for a day or two. He is very weak."