of tons of sand, that, beginning at the gap in the broken wall,
had flowed from every side. Indeed it would have taken weeks to
dig it out, since to sink a shaft was impracticable and so
dangerous that the local officials refused to allow it to be
attempted. The end of it was that an English bishop came up from
Cairo and consecrated the ground by special arrangement with the
Government, which of course makes it impossible that this part of
the temple should be further disturbed. After this he read the
Burial Service over my dear husband.

"So there is the end of a very terrible story which I have written
down because I do not wish to have to talk about it more than is
necessary when we meet. For, dear Mr. Quatermain, we shall meet,
as I always knew that we should--yes, even after I heard that you
were dead. You will remember that I told you so years ago in
Kendah Land and that it would happen after a great change in my
life, though what that change might be I could not say. . . ."


This is the end of the letter except for certain suggested dates for
the visit which she took for granted I should make to Ragnall.



CHAPTER II

RAGNALL CASTLE

When I had finished reading this amazing document I lit my pipe and
set to work to think it over. The hypothetical inquirer might ask why