XI

William Carmichael said to the thin, weedy youth who opened the door inquiringly: “Send Mr.

Jim to me, please.”

Jim Fanthorp entered the room and looked inquiringly at his uncle. The older man looked upwith a nod and a grunt¹.

“Humph, there you are.”

“You asked for me?”

“Just cast an eye over this.”

The young man sat down and drew the sheaf of papers towards him. The elder man watchedhim.

“Well?”

The answer came promptly². “Looks fishy³ to me, sir.”

Again the senior partner of Carmichael, Grant & Carmichael uttered his characteristic grunt.

Jim Fanthorp reread the letter which had just arrived by air mail from Egypt:

…It seems wicked to be writing business letters on such a day. We have spent aweek at Mena House and made an expedition to the Fayum. The day aftertomorrow we are going up the Nile to Luxor and Assuan by steamer, and perhapson to Khartoum. When we went into Cook’s this morning to see about our ticketswho do you think was the first person I saw?—my American trustee, AndrewPennington. I think you met him two years ago when he was over. I had no ideahe was in Egypt and he had no idea that I was! Nor that I was married! My letter,telling him of my marriage, must just have missed him. He is actually going upthe Nile on the same trip that we are. Isn’t it a coincidence? Thank you so muchfor all you have done in this busy time. I—

As the young man was about to turn the page, Mr. Carmichael took the letter from him.

“That’s all,” he said. “The rest doesn’t matter. Well, what do you think?”

His nephew considered for a moment—then he said:

“Well—I think—not a coincidence….”

The other nodded approval.

“Like a trip to Egypt?” he barked out.

“You think that’s advisable?”

“I think there’s no time to lose.”

“But, why me?”

“Use your brains, boy; use your brains. Linnet Ridgeway has never met you; no more hasPennington. If you go by air you may get there in time.”

“I—I don’t like it.”

“Perhaps not—but you’ve got to do it.”

“It’s—necessary?”

“In my opinion,” said Mr. Carmichael, “it’s absolutely vital.”

 

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