In reply to The Keeper (msg # 917):

Rashid looked unhappy at the prospect this was a dead end. "Master, we might want to talk to the reporter friend of Alexander's. Nigel Wassif? At the Cairo Bulletin. He might be able to locate this man. Or Dr. Khafour might be of assistance."

In reply to Rashid Monsour (msg # 918):

Then I suggest we do so with promptitude, Rashid. Some scholars are wayward,unlike your master, and they spend themselves in dissipation and all good sense is lost upon them. We rush to the journalist, for I fear Dr Khafour will only have a singeing scold to spare for me for a day or two now!"

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 914):

The Count rose late and has dressed conservatively as he arrives for breakfast with the others. He looked like he has not slept and when everyone has gathered he tells a tale of the dream he has been having over the course of several nights.

He remembers fragmentary poorly remembered dreams of the Mirror of Gal. It is in front of him, and it is on the wall down in Nitocris' tomb under the pyramid of Khaufre. He cannot turn away, he must look into its depths.

Through it he sees a dark, cold, barren planetscape. Grey powdery soil on a flat featureless plain, it's night and the countless clouds of stars shine down. Cold, cruel and bright. There is no moon, the only light on the grey plain is from the stars and they do not twinkle.

Across the gray starlit plain he sees a mammoth black pyramid. It easily dwarfs those at Giza, and unlike them is made of some basaltic stone. Perhaps the size of a mountain, it looms over the smaller grey mountains on the horizon in front of it. For some reason it looks razor-sharp despite what must be immense distance, somehow he knows this is because on this gray barren planet there is no air.

Gazing upon this scene in the mirror he is suddenly filled with an immense feeling of dread and apprehension. At that point he wakes with a start.

-

While the investigators discussed their plans over breakfast on the isle of Boulaq in he Nile, not far away Bahadir Sahin and Rashid paid a visit to the offices of the Cairo Bulletin.

The Cairo Bulletin was an English language paper published by and about native Egyptians and Cairenes. It was also targeted at the emerging middle and established upper classes: the educated, government workers and merchants that had sprung up after the Ottomans had given up their hold on Egypt and indeed the Middle East. As such it tended to have a somewhat pro-English slant, but still seemed a reputable paper.

Bahadir and Rashid travelled back by tram to Egypt's downtown, getting off at Tahrir Square. Despite the throngs of people from Egypt, Africa and further abroad the main streets were still quite clean and orderly. The Bulletin's offices were in a six-story building, new enough to have an elevator and electricity. They presented themselves at the reception desk and were allowed to go up to meet Nigel in his office.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 921):

The dashing light-skinned Egyptian affected an air of European nobility (if minor) and higher education.

Nigel's smallish office was dominated by a mahogany desk, carpeting and rich furnishings. Obviously, being a reporter paid rather well or else he had other resources to draw upon. He did have a typewriter with stacks of copy piled beside it on a side desk so he obviously did some work around there.

"My good man! Smashing to see you. Please, sit down. Cup of tea?"

Lighting a slender brown cigarette, he summoned an office boy to round up some tea, coffee and crumpets. "What may I do for you? I tell you, you missed an odd show out in the pyramids! Rashid can elaborate but we decided to have a peek in the tomb in Khaufre's pyramid where Nitocris' sarcophagus was stolen. When we came out we discovered several hours had just vanished! Rather queer, definitely a rum go."

"Yes, Rashid told me all about it, Mr Wasif. I've had my pyramid hopping days, but a swing down that way is always too sweet to miss.

But I came here in hopes of some aid, if you will be so good, in finding the whereabouts of the truant of the Clive Expedition, Mr Janwillem!"

Sahin was quick to fish out his Havana case, offering a goodly cigar to the august journalist.

In reply to Bahadir Sahin (msg # 923):

Taking the offered cigar, Nigel nodded enthusiastically. Cutting off the end with a pen knife he lit it, then (like some kind of engine dedicated to searching) started to browse through his files, stored in a cabinet.

"Yes! Of course! I remember the fellow. Sober, even dour chap. He was given the sack for incompetence and too much fondness of drink a few weeks ago? Right after the theft of the mummy. Well, I can't vouch for the first but I'll be damned if the man was a drinker. Might have even been a teetotaler!"

When he pulled out the file card with Vanheuvelen's last known address. "Drat! This is out of date if he's moved from Heliopolis. Tell you what, I can find out. Give me 48... no, 24 hours. It'll be done by then, you'll see."
This message was last updated by the player at 14:16, Thu 14 May 2015.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 920):

At breakfast, Dr. Weston noted the Count's drawn face.

"I say, how did you sleep last night? You look dreadful."

In reply to Doctor Phillip Weston (msg # 925):

The Count nodded before repeating his story for the new comer. He ended his story with "So yes a restless night. Do you think it means anything ? I would not ask, but in the present circumstances it probably does."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:37, Fri 22 May 2015.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 926):

Dr. Weston packed his pipe bowl with tobacco and lit it, drawing in air and creating a cloud of blue smoke around his head.

"Dr. Freud made a lot of dream analysis. Mirrors are symbolic of the interface between the conscious and subconscious. Pyramids are typically a symbol of both perseverance and change. Deserts signify loss, misfortune. This dream sounds sinister, isolated."

Mr Perkins listened to the exchange between the Count and Dr Weston. He had no experience of such matters so stayed silent though he could not help but think it may have something to do with the Counts episode at the pyramids.

JM would not help but shudder at the description of the Count's dreams.  "I can't help but think that the dream bears some meaning related to our current investigations.  Surely the dark pyramid may represent the forces opposing our actions."  He paused.  "As for the Dutchman I could speak to Dr. Khafour about him as another angle on the man."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Mon 25 May 2015.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 929):

"Good. I'll stay here at Alexander's and continue my research on the books we have."

In reply to Doctor Phillip Weston (msg # 930):

"I can hang back as well. Dreadful hang-over!"

At first, the street urchin revelled in a place where he could sleep without keeping one eye open (although he did do that), had clothes to wear and food to eat. But he was still a normal kid who craved stimulation. And TV and video games hadn't yet been invented.

"Well, I want to do something! I am bored!"

JM considered other options.  "We also have the agent that Carlyle left.  Someone should look into him as well."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 933):

"The frenchman? Warren Besart? That's a capital idea. The French embassy should know of his whereabouts."

He poured some tea for himself and others.

"We are already pursuing the dutchman. I agree, let's follow up on Carlyle's agent to avoid doubling out efforts. Are we ready to set out? I'd like to begin before the noon heat if we could."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 935):

"Yes I believe I am ready and up to the task." He rises from the table and checking himself over indicates he is ready to find the cars.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Tue 26 May 2015.

JM rose as well.  "I can check with Dr. Khafour in regards to the Dutchman if time permits later in the day.  I will call and set up an appointment in the late afternoon if possible."  He looked at the urchin.  "Mah'mud, you can come with us as a scout and pair of eyes and ears."

Cynthia had anticipated early-morning adventures, and so follows the Count out to the cars.

"I don't suppose anyone has contacts in the French diplomatic corp we can fall back on? Regardless, I don't see us as asking for anything too sensitive, although we may wish to establish an alibi in case the question comes up. Perhaps working on behalf of his family's legal representation in a private matter. That prevents them from prying too deeply, while not immediately alienating anyone."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 937):

Molly smiled at the group.  "Diplomats are very good about evading questions they don't want to or just plain ignore them so I wouldn't worry too much about it.  If he starts to do that then that will still tell us something."

Seeing there wasn't much more to do until Nigel's sources turned up some information on the truant Dutchman, Nigel suggested they head over to Alexander's estate to meet with the group of investigators staying there. Together, they would be able to coordinate their efforts a little better.

At this point, Nigel, Bahadir and Rashid arrived at the estate via cab from downtown Cairo.

"Good morning, everyone! Quite the queer time we had last night out at the pyramid, eh what?"

Nigel was dressed in a tailored suit that quite possibly could have come straight from Savile Row and not some skilled local tailor.

"The French embassy? Yes of course! I daresay I know a chap there. Who are we trying to locate?"

"Your timing is impeccable, we were just about to head out. Warren Basert is the gentleman's name. I guess I shouldn't be surprised you have an inside loop at the embassy as well. Is there anywhere you don't know someone?"

If everyone is ready, Cynthia is eager to get moving.