The man, assisted by the officer, lifted Scarlett
to the stretcher. From theSergeants questions it was evident Scarlett was not at
home.
Remain in the drawing-room for the time being, he
said.
Vance abandoned hislounging demeanor and sat
up.
And she feared all the time that it was Salveter.
He pushed open the great steel door ofthe museum. We shouldhave heard about that
letter by now.
He came, so Brushsays, at about eight, and must
have departed unobserved.
Salveters puzzlement gave way to
astonishment.
And I want you to go withoutquestion or argument.
Markham stood bending forward like a person paralyzed in the midstof an
action.
He began reading slowly: Beloved ofAmûn, I stop
here until comes the brother of my mother.
I wanted Blissto plant other clews against his
victim and perhaps give us someworkable evidence.
Well wait a while andphone him there again. Ill
phone the hospital later, Markham said to Vance. Especially in view of the
excavations of the Harvard-BostonExpedition at the Gizeh pyramids.
But Icould not distinguish anything that was
said.
Heevidently wanted to talk to Salveter alone. Hadan
appointment at nine with a guy at his apartment, and the guysstill waiting for
him.
You have not seen either Doctor Bliss or
Mr.
I would have seen him had he come up-stairs after
dinner, theEgyptian replied softly.
Scarlett go into the museum when he arrived at
eight? Ive been thinkin about Queen Hetep-hir-es and the Boston Museum. He hasnt a
private phone, and I dontknow the number of the house exchange.
And the last you saw of him was when he was
approaching the studydoor? Salveter started to make a reply, changed his mind, and,
turningabruptly, strode rapidly away. Salveters puzzlement gave way to astonishment.
He wasglum and depressed, and his greeting was little more than a
gutturalrumble.
And howdid this letter get in Scarletts pocket?
Remain in the drawing-room for the time being, he said. Something in Vances tone
senta chill through me.
And you believe he is ignorant of its having been
torn up and putin the doctors waste-basket?
I was inthe drawing-room when Brush admitted
him.
Ill phone the hospital later, Markham said to
Vance.