Part 23 (2/2)

”So is this,” I said ”Ayptians Osiris was the God of Death”

She nodded and replied that doubtless the symbol had come down to them

”One day you shall take me to see this land which you call so very old

Or I will take you, which would be quicker,” she added

We all bowed and said we should be delighted Even Bastin appeared anxious to revisit Egypt in such coh when he was there it see us I could not guess Nor had we ti our faces as she spoke

”The Lord Oro sends you a ers He asks whether it is your wish to see where ell He adds that you are not to coer”

We all answered that there was nothing we should like better, but Bastin added that he had already seen the tomb

”Do you think, Bastin, that we live in a to the advent of you wanderers at the appointed hour?”

”I don't see where else it could be, unless it is further down that cave,” said Bastin ”The top of the mountain would not be convenient as a residence”

”It has not been convenient for e, for reasons that I will show you Think now, before you coht to fear from us, and I believe that no hars that will anger Bickley because he cannot understand them, and perhaps eary Bastin because his heart turns from what is wondrous and ancient Only Humphrey will rejoice in thes--what do you long for, Humphrey?”

”That which I have lost and fear I shall never find again,” I answered boldly

”I know that you have lost ht, for instance, you lost Tommy, and when he slept with me he told me much about you and--others”

”This is ridiculous,” broke in Bastin ”Can a dog talk?”

”Everything can talk, if you understand its language, Bastin But keep a good heart, Humphrey, for the bold seeker finds in the end Oh! foolish man, do you not understand that all is yours if you have but the soul to conceive and the will to grasp? All, all, below, between, above! Even I know that, I who have so nificent Her face which had been but that of a super-lovely worandeur Her bosom swelled; her presence radiated soht

In a

”Will you coo, down to the Under-world? Or will you stay here in the sun? Perhaps you will do better to stay here in the sun, for the Under-world has terrors for weak hearts that were born but yesterday, and feeble feet may stumble in the dark”

”I shall take my electric torch,” said Bastin with decision, ”and I advise you fellows to do the same I always hated cellars, and the catacoh full of sacred interest”

Then we started, Toh he were bored by a visit to a strange house and going ho forith a smile upon her face that was half mystic and half mischievous We passed the remains of the es in which once we travelled through the skies, until we found a better way, and that the uninstructed used till the end,” she answered carelessly, leavingwhat on earth she meant

We came to the statue and the sepulchre beneath without trouble, for the glint of her hair, and I uide us through the gloom The crystal coffins were still there, for Bastin flashed his torch andtheht die,” she said to Bastin ”Huive your left to Bickley Let Bastin cling to hi”

We passed to the end of the toainst what appeared to be a rock wall, all close together, as she directed

”Fear nothing,” she said again, but next second I was neverdoards at a speed that would have made an American elevator attendant turn pale