Moreover, he could hear all sorts of strange sounds, faint and far-away
sounds which at first he thought must emanate from Cairo without. Soon,
however, he grew sure that their origin was more local. Doubtless the
cement work and the cases in the galleries were cracking audibly, as is
the unpleasant habit of such things at night.
Yet why should these common manifestations be so universal and affect
him so strangely? Really, it seemed as though people were stirring all
about him. More, he could have sworn that the great funeral boat beneath
which he lay had become re-peopled with the crew that once it bore.
He heard them at their business above him. There were trampings and a
sound as though something heavy were being laid on the deck, such, for
instance, as must have been made when the mummy of Pharaoh was set there
for its last journey to the western bank of the Nile. Yes, and now he
could have sworn again that the priestly crew were getting out the oars.
Smith began to meditate flight from the neighbourhood of that place when
something occurred which determined him to stop where he was.
The huge hall was growing light, but not, as at first he hoped, with the
rays of dawn. This light was pale and ghostly, though very penetrating.
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