Cynthia curls her lip in a scowl, "we should have guessed as much. Is the location of the cult so well-known that shopkeepers can attempt to burgle it?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 142):

Some more questioning of the befuddled Besart provided some clarification.

First, Carlyle asked Besart to procure these items for them when the Carlyle Expedition reached Egypt. Besart went to a man he knew was a local "fixer" and provider of less-than-legal artefacts, Faraz Najir. Najir engaged these men to get the artefacts. However, it seems the man they stole the items from, Omar Shakti, was a powerful cultists (allegedly). This error eventually led to the doom of the three burglars and the fiery destruction of Faraz Najir's business and death of his family. Either way the cultists from England received their items upon arrival.

There were some puzzling elements. Mainly, both Omar Shakti and the Carlyle Expedition were associated with the cult of the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh, the latter through Sir Aubrey Penhew and the Penhew Institute. After the present investigators' arrival,, Faraz Najor was contacted by Tewfik al-Sayid in the recent past. Tewfik was an associate of the London Brotherhood group, but he warned Faraz not to speak to any investigators that might begin asking questions. The oddness here being why one group of the Brotherhood would steal items from another group? Perhaps it was Carlyle's fault, in that he seemed to be a recent addition to the cult and was perhaps acting on his own.

"If Shakti was a member of the Black Brotherhood, why would Carlyle have to steal it from him? Are they not all bound by the same bonds of wickedness? And if Shakti bears a grudge against Carlyle... Might he be willing to assist us in retrieving them? I don't imagine giving these items to a cultist is in any way desirable, but we've danced with the devil before and will do so again. At least this would be on our terms."
This message was last updated by the player at 22:43, Fri 25 Sept 2015.

JM shook his head.  "I would be quite careful about making a deal with that particular devil.  Shakti sounds powerful just himself alone and may decide to betray and destroy us if he feels his loyalty is to the higher cult."

"Perhaps you're right.

"I don't know of any more leads we have here in Cairo. Am I missing anything?"

"Can we track down those three men or did they die?"

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 147):

"The three men are very dead.

"From what you've said, Faraz Najir has fled.

"Warren Besart is a wreck.

"There is still the Clive expedition, currently at Dashur. You could visit them. You would need some kind of excuse or ruse.

"A member of the Clive expedition, Jan Vanhuevelen, is still here is Cairo. I am trying to locate him fro a friend of yours, Bahadir Sahin. I won't know until tomorrow his whereabouts as his address is not up to date."

"That settles it. If you can reach Jan, that would be our in with the Clive expedition. Otherwise we'll have to be... a bit more aggressive. Regardless, it sounds like we wait until that news tomorrow. It would be good to get some more information on him before we go. I'd like to have my lies in order before I have to open my mouth if I have the choice."

JM nodded.  "Yes, this Vanhuevelen is probably our best bet for now.  What do we know of him?"

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 150):

Nigel seemed remarkably well-informed. He took out a reporter's notebook and began reading some notes.

"I daresay not a lot. He is a Dutchman, of course. Studied at Amsterdam College, in archaeology. Joined the Cive Expedition here in Cairo, where he'd been stranded by a French expedition just over a year ago and did not had the funds to return to Holland. Kicked off the Clive Expedition a month after they arrived here for drunkenness and incompetence. He moved out of his flat without notice within the last week or so. I do know he still doesn't have the funds to leave Egypt and is likely here somewhere in Cairo.

"We should know his whereabouts tomorrow."

JM listened to Nigel and then sighed.  "Well, do we proceed with further investigation today or what to meet this Dutchman tomorrow?  I think that there might be yet more we can do once we have the Frenchman settled."  He turns to the reporter.  "Nigel, make sure you leave our names out of any inquiries as the longer we keep our presence here a secret the longer will be our life expectancy."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 152):

Nigel laughed, dryly. "I daresay that the social pages are my bread-and-butter. I shall stay away from reporting on these matters in my paper. You have my word.

"I see it's getting late. Would you like a ride back to Alexander's estate?"

Mungo almost snorted when JM asked Nigel to keep their names out of the papers.  Imagine such a thing!  Molly, however, smiled and nodded knowing that is was a wise precaution to take.  A good reporter could still report the news without mentioning names.  While society was his bread and butter that still wouldn't mean he couldn't pass off the information to others.  She hoped he wouldn't but one can never tell with those reporter types.

Molly shook her head at her own thoughts and hoped Mungo would stop laughing at her last mental comment.

"Yes, I think it would be wise to return home while we still have a sliver of sunlight. There seems to be no advantage to hunting the man until you have more answers."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 155):

At this point the sun was setting.

The call to prayer of the Mohammedians sounded from countless minarets around them in the ancient city of Cairo.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 155):

Nigel lit some candles and a lamp.

He then talked briefly with a bearded man in a brown robe who knocked on the door.

"My friend Brother Teodore is here to take Mssr. Besart to safety where he may be looked after.

"Come, let's make our departure."

JM nodded.  "Thank you for keeping our names secret from everyone Nigel, at least until we've departed.  It could very well mean our very lives."  He looked around as it grew darker.  "I'd say we return now as well."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 158):

"Yes indeed, it looks if we are loosing the light." The Count did not like their chances if caught in the dark.

To the west, the setting sun was a giant ball flooding Cairo with orange light and pitch-black shadow. Lights spilled warmly from countless coffee shops and restaurants. The crowds were still numerous, if anything, the population of beggars increased.

The trip back to Alexander's estate on its island in the Nile was quick and uneventful.

After a quick nightcap for the road, Nigel bade them all a good night.

Alexander was away on an errand and should be back within the hour but otherwise, things seemed normal at the estate.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Sat 17 Oct 2015.

JM had a gin and tonic and then went to walk in the cool of the gardens for a bit before turning in.

It's about time. It's been a rough day, but they'd come away with a lot. Cynthia isn't quite sure what she'll do with the hashish ball yet, but she's sure she can find a use. But right now, it's time to think of dinner and a bath.

She'll eat light, something cold if possible, and take up the bathroom for an hour before checking in on the evening discussions and tea.

Alexander arrived not too long after dinner.

The group was having after-dinner drinks on the rear patio. Insects buzzed in the darkness. Entering behind Alexander was a familiar figure!

"Everyone! I have a wonderful surprise for you! Your dear friend, Ralph, arrived in Alexandria on the steamship SS Egyptian Prince this afternoon. I received a telegram from him over a week ago announcing his arrival but, not know what to make of it, decided to keep this close to my chest in case it was some kind of ruse or trap. But it wasn't, and here he is!

"Ralph, something to drink? I'll have a gin-and-tonic."

"Oh, my dear friend. A drink would certainly be pleasant."

Looking around, Ralph took in the sight of his friends.

"I am so glad to see you all safe and together. I could not bear the thought of travelling back to Wisconsin and trying to forget all that I had seen."

In reply to Prof. Ralph T. Fulty (msg # 164):

Dr. Weston clapped him on the arm.

"By Jove! It's splendid to see you! Please, join us for a drink and a cigar? How was the trip? I honestly thought that we'd seen the last of you for some time!"

The Count had been focused on the liquid at the bottom of his glass when the Professor arrived. Looking up he was genuinely surprised and happy to see him and stood offering a hand to the professor. "How good to see you Professor and very timely. I think we will have need of your expertise."

He moves to refill his glass and retakes his seat again.