Then he narrated briefly and simply the events of the night. Mr. Sturdy was overwhelmed, though in his joy there was a tincture of embarrassment.
Apart altogether from the value of his service, unconscious as it was, the fact that he had saved the party was of immense benefit in helping Don’s father to recover his mental balance. Knowing dimly his infirmity, he had had a sense of dependence, of uselessness, of inferiority, and had felt that he was more or less of a burden on the others. He feared to look into the future. But the service he had done them removed this feeling altogether, and from that time on his progress was rapid.
They could now eat freely, not only of Mr. Sturdy’s provisions, but Don and Teddy served for communication with Ismillah and Abdul, bringing in supplies daily, though taking the utmost precautions to see that they were not followed.
They were uneasy at learning, however, that though the servants had not been molested in their hidden retreat, they had frequently seen a band of Bedouins ranging the vicinity, headed by Tezra and Nepahak, both of whom were known to Ismillah.
Don had recovered his own rifle, and on reporting the facts gained from Ismillah, had been directed by the captain to bring plenty of ammunition from their store and enough rifles to equip every member of the party.
Nearly a week was required for the professor and Zeta Phalos, with the assistance of the others, to catalogue the treasures of the tomb for submission to the Egyptian Government. A great many of the most portable of these were packed to carry along with them, as proofs of their discovery.
On the night before they planned to leave, they were engaged in an earnest conversation about their future movements when once again the horrible shriek brought them to their feet and the dreadful figure, more frightful, it seemed to them, than ever, seemed to move threateningly toward them, its banshee wail arousing a thousand echoes.
The captain reached for his gun and fired, and the figure vanished.
“Come along!” called the captain, as he seized a torch and rushed in that direction. “We’ll settle this thing right here and now!”
The others, all except Phalos, followed with torches and flashlights, and found the captain standing on the brink of a chasm.