He wanted to know all about you and our plans, and naturally I wanted to know all about the Fung and the ritual and traditions connected with the worship of Harmac, so that we were never dull for a single moment.
In fact, I wish that we could have had longer together, for we became excellent friends.

But whatever happens, I think that I have collected the cream of his information," and he tapped a fat note-book in his hands, adding: "What an awful thing it would have been if a lion had eaten this.

For myself it did not matter; there may be many better Egyptologists, but I doubt if any one of them will again have such opportunities of original research.

However, I took every possible precaution to save my notes by leaving a copy of the most important of them written with native ink upon sheepskin in charge of your son.

Indeed, I meant to leave the originals also, but fortunately forgot in the excitement of my very hurried departure." I agreed with him that his chances had been unique and that he was a most lucky archaeologist, and presently he went on puffing at his pipe.
"Of course, when Oliver turned up in that unexpected fashion on the back of the idol, remembering your wishes and natural desire to recover your son, I did my best to rescue him also.