For apart from
thee I have no life. That thing that I have to do is about done. May the
gods guard thee and the all-mother protect thee. I embrace thee: I kiss
thine eyes and thy lips.' That's a fair translation, though one or two
of the hieroglyphics are susceptible of a slightly different rendering;
but the sense would not be materially affected by the change," the
Professor concluded.
His words fell on inattentive ears; for Simpkins was sitting stunned
under the revelation of the letter. Now that he had his story, he knew
that he had not wanted it.
But he roused himself when he became conscious that the professor was
peering at him curiously over the top of his glasses, and said:
"Pretty warm stuff, eh! Good josh! Great girl! Ought to know her. She's
daft on this Egyptian business."
"Her letter is perhaps a trifle er--impulsive," the professor answered.
"But she combines the ancient and the modern charmingly. I congratulate
you."
"Thanks, Professor," Simpkins answered awkwardly, and took his leave.
Once in the street, he plunged along, head down. It was worse than he
had suspected. He had felt all along that the boy's surmises about
Brander were correct; now he knew that his suspicions of Mrs. Athelstone
were well founded. But he would keep her from that hypocrite, that hawk,
that--murderer! Simpkins stopped short at the intrusion of that word.
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