I thought differently. He was annoyed, but I let him watch me from the tent flap. I found Sir Robert talking to Dr. Belleville at the door of the cave temple. His greeting was quite affectionate. "So glad you are better again, my dear young friend," he said, and he warmly invited me into the chamber. It was almost empty. The jar of perfume had gone; the sarcophagus had disappeared. It contained only a table and a cot. "Sit down," said Sir Robert. "Where is the sarcophagus?" I demanded. The old rascal grinned. "I had it quietly transferred last night on a truck to a punt," he replied, "while you were enjoying your beauty sleep. Dr. Belleville and I have not been to bed at all. It is now on the road to Cairo--and England." I sat down on the cot. "And the dead Arab?" I questioned. Dr. Belleville choked back a laugh. Sir Robert smiled. "The dead Arab you saw was the mortal casket of Ptahmes," said he. "I am not surprised at your mistake. The body is in a perfect state of preservation. It is not a mummy in any sense of the expression. I regret very much that your sudden indisposition prevented you from examining it closely and me from explaining the circumstances of its preservation and discovery on the spot. However, I can tell you this much now. We found it steeped in an essential oil which an hermetic process had defended from evaporation. The oil began to evaporate immediately it was exposed to the air: but I contrived to save a certain quantity with which, later, I purpose to experiment in London. The Egyptian authorities have been very good to me. They have given me all necessary powers to deal with my discovery as I please. I tell you this lest professional jealousy should lead you to attempt any interference with my actions." "In plain words, Sir Robert, you wish me to understand that your discovery is for you and not for the world." "Hardly that, my dear Pinsent. Merely that I propose to choose my own time for taking the world into my confidence--and that of Dr. Belleville," he added, bowing to his friend. "An unusual course for a professed scientist to adopt." "I have very little sympathy with conventionality," cooed Sir Robert. "And I," said Belleville. "The point of view of two burglars," I observed. I scowled at Belleville. "You shall be as rude as you please. You saved my life," said Sir Robert. Dr. Belleville cleared his throat. "Ahem--Ahem," said he, "the discourtesy of the disappointed is--ahem--is a tribute to the merits of the more successful." In my rage I descended to abuse. "You are a nasty old swindler," I said to Sir Robert, "but your grey hair protects you for the present. But, as for you, sir," I turned to Belleville, "you black bull-dog--if you dare so much as to open your lips to me again, I'll wring your flabby nose off." The baronet turned scarlet; the Doctor went livid; but neither of them said a word.