“Quite so!  You may depend on my silence!” I said; and he went away to keep a close eye on the Egyptologist.

It seemed as though all my painful experiences were to go in pairs, and that the sequence of the previous day was to be repeated; for before long I had another private visit from Doctor Winchester who had now paid his nightly visit to his patient and was on his way home.  He took the seat which I proffered and began at once: 

“This is a strange affair altogether.  Miss Trelawny has just been telling me about the stolen lamps, and of the finding of them in the Napoleon cabinet.  It would seem to be another complication of the mystery; and yet, do you know, it is a relief to me.  I have exhausted all human and natural possibilities of the case, and am beginning to fall back on superhuman and supernatural possibilities.  Here are such strange things that, if I am not going mad, I think we must have a solution before long.  I wonder if I might ask some questions and some help from Mr. Corbeck, without making further complications and embarrassing us.  He seems to know an amazing amount regarding Egypt and all relating to it.  Perhaps he wouldn’t mind translating a little bit of hieroglyphic.  It is child’s play to him.  What do you think?”

When I had thought the matter over a few seconds I spoke.  We wanted all the help we could get.  For myself, I had perfect confidence in both men; and any comparing notes, or mutual assistance, might bring good results.  Such could hardly bring evil.

“By all means I should ask him.  He seems an extraordinarily learned man in Egyptology; and he seems to me a good fellow as well as an enthusiast.  By the way, it will be necessary to be a little guarded as to whom you speak regarding any information which he may give you.”

“Of course!” he answered.  “Indeed I should not dream of saying anything to anybody, excepting yourself.  We have to remember that when Mr. Trelawny recovers he may not like to think that we have been chattering unduly over his affairs.”

“Look here!” I said, “why not stay for a while:  and I shall ask him to come and have a pipe with us.  We can then talk over things.”

He acquiesced:  so I went to the room where Mr. Corbeck was, and brought him back with me.  I thought the detectives were pleased at his going.  On the way to my room he said: 

“I don’t half like leaving those things there, with only those men to guard them.  They’re a deal sight too precious to be left to the police!”

From which it would appear that suspicion was not confined to Sergeant Daw.

Mr. Corbeck and Doctor Winchester, after a quick glance at each other, became at once on most friendly terms.  The traveller professed his willingness to be of any assistance which he could, provided, he added, that it was anything about which he was free to speak.  This was not very promising; but Doctor Winchester began at once: