This apartment was richly furnished in the Arab
manner, and lighted by a fine brass lamp swung upon chains from the
painted ceiling. The intricate perforations of the lamp were inset
with colored glass, and the result was a subdued and warm
illumination. Odd-looking oriental vessels, long-necked jars, jugs
with tenuous spouts and squat bowls possessing engraved and figured
covers emerged from the shadows of niches. A low divan with gaily
colored mattresses extended from the door around one corner of the
room where it terminated beside a kind of mushrabiyeh cabinet or
cupboard. Beyond this cabinet was a long, low counter laden with
statuettes of Nile gods, amulets, mummy-beads and little stoppered
flasks of blue enamel ware. There were two glass cases filled with
other strange-looking antiquities. A faint perfume was perceptible.
Sir Lucien entering last of the party, the door closed behind him, and
from the cabinet on the right of the divan a young Egyptian stepped
out. He wore the customary white robe, red sash and red slippers, and
a tarbush, the little scarlet cap commonly called a fez, was set upon
his head. He walked to a door on the left of the counter, and slid it
noiselessly open. Bowing gravely, "The Sheikh el Kazmah awaits," he
said, speaking with the soft intonation of a native of Upper Egypt.
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