Rafiman stood woodenly, his face suffused with exasperation and a building rage, "What- what's this nonsense about a curse?"

"Perhaps I can explain," Karl took the Sergeant by the arm, overcoming his resistance, and walking him down the wadi away from the others.

"What happened buddy?" Stone approached, placing his arm around Massam's shoulder and looking at the stains on his clothing and face.

"He was in the inner chamber making threats and- and he fired several shots, he- the panel started closing. I- I didn't- he tried climbing out and it- he-"

"Take it slow pal, just settle down." After a few moments Stone stood back considering his friend. The tale sounded bizarre but he knew Massam would not lie. Not even if it meant admitting guilt. Oura excused herself, leading her brother over to a shady spot by the keystone and settled him down with a drink from her canteen while she cleaned him up. Karl and Rafiman rejoined the others in time to hear Stone give Massam's explanation of what took place.

Everyone just looked at one another without speaking, each considering the news with their own spin.

"You will all be required to accompany me back to Idfu and file official statements," Rafiman spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Can't you just take them here?" Melanie asked wearily.

"I'm afraid-"

"But the tomb! We can't just leave now. We can't walk away from such a major discovery!" Karl broke in, his face red, his eyes wide and pleading.

"What about all the artifacts we brought out?"

"I'm sorry professor but this is now an official crime scene and I am the official government authority. I have to go back in to confirm Massam's account, so we'll replace the items inside until the investigation is completed. Please professor, do not oppose me in this."

"But- but . . ."

"No buts. No one will enter this site until it is released by the proper authorities- after an official investigation." Rafiman snapped his notebook shut and shoved it in his tunic pocket.

"Awful lot of official suddenly,' Stone murmured to Melanie, who gave him a frustrated glance.

Rafiman paced about the area sizing up the logistics needed for their departure. "We will return to your campsite, refresh, spend the night and leave for Qasr Farâfra in the morning." Karl started to protest again, stopping finally, when Rafiman firmly warned him against obstructing his official authority.

"Again with the official," Stone shook his head.

"How do you propose to get these men back to camp Sergeant?" Melanie strutted over to Amin and the unconscious Surri.

"They will have to be carried, obviously."

"I'm not goin' anywhere, so it won't be me," Harry stood defiantly with his arms folded.

"Mr. Lassiter. I have already stated that you will be required to make an official statement in Idfu." Stone rolled his eyes.

"I got a lot of personal gear and time invested in there so I ain't leavin' for any Idfu. The rest of them can tell you all you need to know," he nodded his head at the others. Rafiman unsnapped his holster, feeling for his gun and remembering too late that he'd left it inside the tomb Blushing angrily, he blustered,

"Sir! If I must, I will place you under arrest and—"

"Okay, enough! Let's all simmer down and think this through." Stone held up his hands and stepped between the two men. "The Sergeant's right Harry. If we expect any hope of being able to continue here, we have to get this investigation over with." He saw a protest coming and spoke up quickly, "I know, I know. It's gonna take time but, what the hell, the tomb isn't going any place and it'll give us all a chance to work out a proper arrangement with the authorities for further excavation or whatever."

Rafiman nodded his appreciation to Stone's level headed plea and added, "From camp I will radio Idfu to arrange for a guard at the site, just to protect from any chance intruders."

*****

Dinner around the campsite was a quiet, solemn affair. Rafiman explained as well as he could to Karl and the disgruntled Harry, what procedures would probably have to be followed regarding permission to work the site and what their legal status was with reference to the discovery.

The two men grudgingly accepted his words and spent the rest of the evening discussing each others rights to an official recognition of the find. Melanie attended to Stone and Amin, changing the dressings on their wounds, while Oura spent an inordinate amount of time seeing to the young Corporal, who was awake and happily taking nourishment from such an attentive nurse. Sadam's body had been recovered and was carefully wrapped, by a stricken Massam, for return to his home and a proper burial. He had carried him without help, all the way back to the camp.

They had returned the artifacts to the chamber, examining the visible remains of Max Baeder with degrees of revulsion, and departed, closing the panel door for security. Stone had devised an Indian style travois of shovel handles and a webbing of rope for the transport of Surri, which Harry and he took turns dragging, over the arduous trip back to the camp. The rest took turns helping Amin hobble along.

By the way Sergeant," Stone inquired, "what happened to the help your Corporal said you were supposed to be radioing for?"

Rafiman pulled a face and glanced at the wounded Corporal. "My Captain suggested that if two officers of the Idfu Constabulary couldn't handle two miserable Arabs and one Westerner, we should perhaps consider the advisability of continuing- as officers."

"Charming. A regular little Hitler, eh?"

"I don't think slandering my Captain with such an infamous name is appropriate- although." He tossed Stone a rueful smile and ambled over to his pile of gear. After several minutes of cursing and listening to static, contact was made with his station and he reported the events. As promised, he arranged for a detail of men to be sent to guard the tomb. He announced his plan for their return and, meeting little opposition, suggested they all turn in for an early start in the morning.

"Stone?"

"Yeah?"

Karl turned on his side in his sleeping bag and looked across the tent at the young man. "Can I ask you something-- again?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"It's about Amin. I'm- I don't quite know how to put it but, well, there's just something strange about his behaviour. Don't you think?"

Stone sighed and rolled over to face the professor. "Strange how?"

"Well, on the way back from the tomb, when we were carrying him, he kept smiling at me. I mean, I know that's not so strange in itself but . . ."

"I'd've smiled too if I was being carried over that bloody terrain."

"No. It- he kept making these signs with his hands and giving me this weird grin." Karl let out a long breath and rubbed his forehead, "I don't know. Ever since that tale of his- it was so accurate. How could that have been? I mean, look how easy we found everything. What are the odds of something like that?"

Stone stayed silent, thinking back over the past week. "You know, he was the one who led us up the rocks to the plateau. Granted, he didn't find the oasis but, we never would have located it if we hadn't been up there in the first place. Awh, this is stupid. You've got me believing in curses now."

"You're right you know. He always stayed behind, as if watching how we would behave." Karl leaned up on one elbow and stared at Stone. "He always watched our backs too. It's as if he knew we were being followed."

"Okay Karl, let's drop it. Next thing you'll be telling me, he's this Arom whatsisname's ancestor. Get some sleep. It's a long ride back to Idfu." He rolled back, pulling the cover up to his neck and closed his eyes.

Karl lay back down and stared at the tent top, "It's an interesting idea, isn't it." His softly spoken thought hung in the night air like wet wash on a windless day.

*****

Idfu station was a single storey, pale brown, stucco building with no aesthetically redeeming features. A forlorn Egyptian flag dangled from a crooked pole on the roof like some hanged innocent. The row of barred windows across the front stared dismally at the dusty patch of scruffy grass, worn ragged at the street's edge by vehicles and pedestrians alike.

A cracked concrete sidewalk split the dry lawn from the road to its faded, carved front doors, which stood ajar to capture what ever breeze ventured near. Inside, crowded together in a narrow hall outside the infamous Captain's office, the party of adventurers sat fanning themselves and drinking from a bucket of cool water, provided for their dubious comfort while they awaited their interview.

"What did the doctors say about Corporal Surri and Amin," Karl inquired, seeking to break the boredom.

"Surri'll be good as new in a few weeks, his head took a dozen or so stitches and the bullet wound missed all his important stuff. I don't know about Amin. I guess he's okay or we would have heard."

"What about your leg?"

"They cleaned it up and re-bandaged it, I'll probably be limping for a while but it doesn't really hurt that much. By the way. Oura stayed with Surri at the hospital. I bet Massam is beside himself." They looked over to where the Bedouin sat staring at the worn, wooden floor, morosely. Stone nudged Karl and gave him a wink.

"Speaking of people being beside themselves, I'd better find a phone and give the university a call. They'll be madder than blazes when they hear where I am- and why." Karl stood and wandered off, looking about for some assistance. Stone turned his attention to Melanie sitting a few feet away, her head against the wall, mopping at her throat with a scarf.

"I guess you found enough excitement to hold you over for a while after all, eh."

She turned her head without sitting up and looked into his pleasant smile. "Quite a while, thank you."

He stared at her shiny face with the fine wisps of hair stuck to her warm skin, his eyes enjoying the fine curve of brow, the short, defiant nose and the soft texture of pink lips. "Uh. I uh, was wondering. Do you want to go for a short walk or something? Get out of this place until we're needed? Maybe get a cold drink somewhere?" Melanie stared back without answering, the beginning of a smile twitching about her mouth. "Or maybe not. Just a suggestion," he looked away, blushing slightly and feeling foolish.

"If you think it won't bother your leg, it sounds like a fine idea."

Stone turned back to find her grinning at him, eyes sparkling. "What leg?" He smiled and stood up, offering her his hand.