Then above the tumult rose the hoarse shouts of men and the shrill screams of women, and the crash and clash of tables overturned; then came the swirl and bubbling hiss of a flood that gleamed darkly under the golden lamps and swiftly rose towards them, bearing upon its surface white arms with outstretched hands gripping at the empty air, and gauzy robes which half hid gleaming limbs, white faces with wildly-staring eyes, and teeth that grinned between tight-drawn lips so lately smiling; strong swimmers fighting for another moment's breath, and one by one dragged down by many hidden hands: then the sharp hiss of swift-quenched flames, then darkness, and the stifling of sobbing groans into silence, and after that only the sibilant undertone of waters rushing swiftly past smooth walls through utter night.
* * * * * "Dear me!" the Professor heard himself say as he sat up and rubbed his eyes, "what on earth can be the matter with me?
Egypt--the Queen--Palace of Pepi--bridal feast of Nitocris and Menkau-Ra--yes, yes, of course I remember it all now.

She made me impersonate Nefer in the mummy-case, and then, when she had frightened her guests half out of their wits, she avenged her lover by opening the sluice-gates and drowning the lot, herself included.

A rare device, that of old Pepi's, for getting rid of hospitably entertained enemies.

Not quite in accordance with our modern ideas of sport, I'm afraid, but in those days we thought a good deal more of effectiveness than sport.

Good heavens! What sort of nonsense am I talking?
Dreaming, I suppose." He stopped as the reflection of a brilliant flash of lightning lit up his window, and bursts of rain dashed upon the panes.
"Ah yes, of course, that's it! Quite in accordance with the theory of dreams.