I have ventured to say as much to my grandfather, but
I cannot obtain a shred of actual fact to justify my suspicions. Indeed
Baron von Kerber is candor itself where the genuineness of the papyrus
is concerned. Did he endeavor to explain Mrs. Haxton's presence, or
mine?"
"When Captain Stump protested--before he had seen you, remember--
against ladies accompanying us, the Baron said that without you the
expedition could not proceed."
"Exactly. That is another bit of unconvincing accuracy. Mrs. Haxton has
always been an essential part of the scheme. I am here solely because I
did not think Mr. Fenshawe should be allowed to go alone--alone in the
sense that these people were strangers to him, while he was spending
many thousands of pounds for their very great benefit. There, again, I
find myself in a sort of verbal _cul de sac_. Under other circumstances
I should be delighted to take part in an adventure of this kind.
Grandad promised me two years ago that we should pass the present
winter in Upper Egypt.
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