"We should stop well away where our lights won't be seen and then creep up." Suggests Chalky, gripping his rifle grimly.

JM nodded.  "Agreed, we can advance with someone leading the truck on foot if we have to but we'll want to find a convenient spot to stop soon."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 231):

They encountered a small fishing village, just a half dozen thatched huts, really, on the riverbank just north of Dashur, which was located a mile inland. If anyone awoke at their passage no lights came on, no one stirred. Dawn would come soon and no doubt the fishermen and farmers would be going about their business within an hour or so. Once past the village they killed the headlamps and navigated by moonlight, although the moon was just setting.

For some reason Alexander had them halt for a moment as they were passing by the nameless ville. He dismounted and ran over to a small thatched hut inside a crudely fenced-in enclosure, looked inside it, and then remounted. "Looking for a friend I know around here. He's not in. Strange. Let's go."

The lorry parked safely behind a small pile of ancient shattered brick, about a half-mile from Dashur. They proceeded on foot, with the Bedouin that Alexander left behind to guard the lorry.

Keeper's Note: Please post in the Dashur thread.

OK! Please post here again.

After a short dusty ride on a dirt road through orchards and past fields, they arrived at the rail line and then the Nile. There was a nearby village of a few huts. Chi-Yin was able to retrieve a few belongings she was able to bring with her from the Clive Expedition. After the launch transferred them to the yacht, they were underway before noon. They motored south down the river, reaching Cairo before nightfall.

The yacht docked at Alexander's private wharf at his estate on the exclusive island of Gezirat Boulaq. Tea and stronger spirits were waiting for them when they arrived.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 233):

''Your estate is a lovely place, sir.'' Chi-yin said to Alexander.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 234):

"God has blessed me and my family," he replied.

Indeed, there was a mansion, guest quarters, a carriage house and stables (converted into a garage). Surrounding that were palm-topped tree-shaded lawns, encircled on the land side by a wall.

"Ah, there's the lady of the house now. May I introduce my wife, Marjyan. Marjyan, this is Chi-Yin Wong. Mrs. Wong is a scholar, an archaeologist."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:04, Sat 04 July 2020.

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 235):

Marjyan smiled warmly and extended her hand. "Chi-Yin! It is such a delightful pleasure to meet you." Like her husband, her voice and accent spoke of breeding and an education of England's finest public schools, or perhaps a close proximity somewhere on the continent.

"And you, my husband. I am glad you have found your lost friends! I am so glad you have all returned. Please, won't you join me for refreshments on the patio?" Having not been introduced to Matt nor Chalky she had no idea they were gone.

The group settled down into a splendid light dinner outside on the veranda beside the swimming pool. Date and palm trees provided shade, servants moved silently and confidently to serve them. They were served falafel, hummus, and ful medames (a stew of cooke fava beans). For the less adventuresome there was roast lamb, rice and steamed vegetables. As before the port and sherry was impeccable.

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 235):

"Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you."Chi-yin smiled at the lady.

In reply to Marjyan Mahfouz (msg # 236):

"I should like to."

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 239):

The group had a pleasant evening, discussing what happened, or not, depending on their mood. It was suggested they reconvene in the morning to discuss their plans moving forward. Catching up with and reviewing the work of the drunkard Dutchman, Jan van Huevelen, seemed to be a good place to start. He had recovered some ancient papyrus scrolls from a disused temple to Bast hidden in the outskirts of Cairo, and seemed to have decyphered its contents. In exchange he could get them an introduction to the Clive expedition's digs in Memphis, something that Chi-Yin could also arrange.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 240):

Chi-yin nodded and said that it would be possible for her to arrange the introduction.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 241):

"Capital! I'll get you writing materials. You can post Sir Clive a letter tomorrow as I do not think he has telegraph service in Memphis.

"It seems the Dutchman isn't as useful as we once thought, as this delightful lady can arrange an introduction for us. Still, we promised the drunk wretch a payment if he could finish his translation of those scrolls he found. Or should I say, stole. It's worth a few quid to buy the originals off him to maybe given them back to that priestess that seems upset at him."

In fact, it had seemed to them that it wasn't just the Priestess but also hordes of cats that seemed to have taken a disliking to him. If there was something supernatural going on there, well, that wouldn't be the first time that had happened here in Cairo!

Th events of the previous few hours, or weeks as it was had been draining and the count was glad of a drink, smoke and seat.

"Agreed Alexander I think the scrolls would be better off back in the hands of the priestess. Especially if she was the original victim of the Dutchman's theft."

He takes a drink from his glass as he enjoys the breeze which has lowered the temperature to a more manageable level for some use to the climate of London.


-

"And here I thought you were English? Shouldn't it be tucked away in the British Museum?" Cynthia winks, giving some clue to her ribbing. "No matter. Given our experience with Penhew, I think I trust the cats more. But I do want to see those translations. Do you reckon we need to wait until morning to pick them up? He doesn't seem to keep normal schedules, and I could do with the evening reading."

The good doctor who'd accompanied them from England added, "and there was that poor local chap, a digger, who witnessed... something in the desert. Some wicked ritual performed by the Carlyle expedition in Dashur. Niti... Niti something? He's the one who dragged the Frenchman, Warren Besart, to safety."

Warren Besart was Carlyle's agent in Egypt. Whatever he'd witnessed had shattered his mind. But he'd proved to be a big help in their early investigation. Perhaps the man who saved him, an Egyptian, could shed further light on the activities of the ill-fated Carlyle expedition?

"Maybe when we're done dealing with van Huelevan we may track the fellow down. The newspaperman, Nigel Wassif, he may know where to find him. Worth a visit at any rate!"

In reply to Doctor Phillip Weston (msg # 245):

Chi-yin raised her head."Warren Besart? I remember him. I believe I met him once or twice. Before he went mad."

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 246):

"Quite sad really. I have been seeing him over the last weeks to attempt to bring some succor to his damaged psyche. So much pain! I don't know if he will ever be whole again."

He shook his head, sadly.

"There's no reason we all need to visit the Dutchman together. Aside from his cuisine, I don't expect any danger. Perhaps we should split in two, to move quicker?"

'I speak a bit of Dutch', volunteers Roger. 'Spent a summer in Groningen. I'll be happy to talk to this chap.'
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Wed 05 Aug 2020.

"I am happy to accompany you Ms Holloway, if you believe you need and escort." He gives a nod before taking sip of his drink.


-

"It is always a pleasure, Count. Mr. Bedford, I suspect more useful will be the language of opiates and drug dens, but your academics are welcome. Ms. Chi-yin, if you would like to take the remaining gentleman with you, we can regroup here tomorrow to discuss?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 248):

"Don't expect danger? Miss, I think we should always be on our guard as long as that dark priest Omar al-Shakti is loose. The last time we split up the party, both groups were isolated and attacked. On that note, we've been rather careful in concealing that we are using my estate as a base. My trusty Bedouin guards keep us safe here. But if our foes can scry from afar as we can, and can summon unearthly creatures like the ones that sank your felluca in the Nile, we should consider a more safer and anonymous place to go to ground. It may only be a matter of time before our luck runs out and this place becomes a target."

In reply to Doctor Phillip Weston (msg # 247):

"How terrible." It was a horrible thought.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 253):

A somewhat rumpled young German fellow added,

"It was, yes.

"I am Karlheinz, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance.

"Are we visiting both the Dutchman and Nigel at the Cairo Bulletin at the same time?"