by one of the bereavements of the war, this great Egyptologist died in
the interval between its writing and its publication. Still, since Lady
Maspero informs him that such is the wish of his family, he adds the
dedication which he had proposed to offer to that eminent writer and
student of the past.



Dear Sir Gaston Maspero,

When you assured me as to a romance of mine concerning ancient Egypt,
that it was so full of the "inner spirit of the old Egyptians" that,
after kindred efforts of your own and a lifetime of study, you could not
conceive how it had been possible for it to spring from the brain of a
modern man, I thought your verdict, coming from such a judge, one of the
greatest compliments that ever I received. It is this opinion of yours
indeed which induces me to offer you another tale of a like complexion.
Especially am I encouraged thereto by a certain conversation between
us in Cairo, while we gazed at the majestic countenance of the Pharaoh
Meneptah, for then it was, as you may recall, that you said you thought
the plan of this book probable and that it commended itself to your
knowledge of those dim days.

With gratitude for your help and kindness and the sincerest homage to
your accumulated lore concerning the most mysterious of all the perished
peoples of the earth,

Believe me to remain

Your true admirer,