The Scroll of the Dead Read Online Free PDF Page B

The hieroglyphics are perversions of those used at the period of the Twenty-first Dynasty and there are also additions of Setaph’s own invention. What we do know is that it was written by Setaph himself. He signed it and marked it with his personal insignia: a half-scarab. This papyrus would seem to give directions to the location of his own tomb.’
    ‘It is a kind of map, then?’ I asked
    Sir Charles smiled at me. ‘In simple terms, Doctor, yes. It is clear that there are passages relating to Setaph’s philosophy and some dedications of allegiance to Pinneedjem and Henntawy. References to Osiris are also made, but the whole remains a mystery...’
    ‘Including the location of Setaph’s tomb,’ said Holmes.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘So this could very well be the motive for stealing the document: to discover the hidden burial place.’
    Sir Charles gave a shrug of the shoulder. ‘A fanciful theft if it was. Both the archaeologists who discovered the papyrus were unable to make anyreal sense of it and since then, from time to time, it has been examined by qualified men, Egyptologists of note, who thought they had the key.’
    ‘When was it last scrutinised in such a way?’
    ‘Not for some time, I think. Ten years possibly. I could find out if you consider it to be important.’
    ‘It may be,’ said Holmes, thoughtfully. ‘Let us suppose for a moment that those responsible for the theft of the papyrus are able to interpret the messages within it, break the code of the map and, therefore, seek out the tomb of Setaph. What would they gain for their trouble?’
    ‘Very little in material wealth. Setaph was, after all, only a high priest. There will be a few gold items, various altar relics and ornaments, but little else in worldly goods.’ Here Sir Charles paused and, leaning over the desk, he lowered his voice almost to a whisper. ‘There will, of course,’ he said, ‘be Setaph’s magical Scroll of the Dead.’

Three

T HE S CENES O F T HE C RIMES
    ‘W e were only able to keep the Egyptian gallery closed for one day after the crime on the pretext of auditing part of the collection; any longer and I’m sure the newspaper reporters would have sniffed something in the wind.’
    Sir Charles Pargetter was explaining this point as we stood on the threshold of the Egyptian gallery where some half a dozen visitors were strolling around, peering at the various exhibits. The room was divided into three sections, comprising a series of glass exhibition cases, several containing the brown and ragged bodies of ancient mummies, as well as those which displayed many beautiful carved objects and precious artefacts from that remarkable civilisation which flourished at the dawn of time. High above us, running in a frieze around the wall and softly illuminated by the new electric lighting, was a series of scenes from Ancient Egyptian life.
    ‘What was your concern about the story of the theft being printed in the newspapers?’ I asked.
    ‘No museum likes to admit that it has lost one of its treasures, Doctor.It would deter potential benefactors, and any story like that would act as an advertisement to the criminal fraternity: come to the British Museum and steal – it is so easy.’
    ‘It was also in our best interests, as I explained,’ added the Scotland Yarder.
    ‘How did the men enter, Hardcastle?’
    In response to my friend’s query, the policeman pointed at the roof of the chamber. Set into the curved ceiling were three large rectangular skylights which provided the main illumination of the room.
    ‘They forced one of them open and dropped down on a rope, and returned by the same route. On leaving, they carelessly dropped their rope and we found it coiled on the floor over by Henntawy’s case.’
    Holmes peered up at the skylights and then back at Sir Charles. ‘Where is the case?’
    ‘This way gentlemen, please,’ replied the Egyptologist, leading us down the central aisle and stopping mid-way before a glass