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VI. The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb
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Hedashedenergeticallyinpursuitoftheshadowyapparition.Ifollowedhim,but,searchaswewould,wecouldfindnotraceofanylivingsoulhavingpassedthatway.Wereturned,somewhatdisturbedinmind,tofindPoirottakingenergeticmeasures,inhisownway,toensurehispersonalsafety.Hewasbusilysurroundingourtentwithvariousdiagramsandinscriptionswhichhewasdrawinginthesand.Irecognizedthefive-pointedstarorPentagonmanytimesrepeated.Aswashiswont,Poirotwasatthesametimedeliveringanimpromptulectureonwitchcraftandmagicingeneral,WhiteMagicasopposedtoBlack,withvariousreferencestotheKaandtheBookoftheDeadthrownin.
ItappearedtoexcitetheliveliestcontemptinDr.Tosswill,whodrewmeaside,literallysnortingwithrage.
“Balderdash,sir,”heexclaimedangrily.“Purebalderdash.Theman’sanimpostor.Hedoesn’tknowthedifferencebetweenthesuperstitionsoftheMiddleAgesandthebeliefsofAncientEgypt.NeverhaveIheardsuchahotch-potchofignoranceandcredulity.”
Icalmedtheexcitedexpert,andjoinedPoirotinthetent.Mylittlefriendwasbeamingcheerfully.
“Wecannowsleepinpeace,”hedeclaredhappily.“AndIcandowithsomesleep.Myhead,itachesabominably.Ah,foragoodtisane!”
Asthoughinanswertoprayer,theflapofthetentwasliftedandHassanappeared,bearingasteamingcupwhichheofferedtoPoirot.Itprovedtobecamomiletea,abeverageofwhichheisinordinatelyfond.HavingthankedHassanandrefusedhisofferofanothercupformyself,wewereleftaloneoncemore.
