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P.S. I cabled you this morning "Sampan and promising"; Arrived here safely and found everything satisfactory and promising.

Shepheard's Hotel and Ghezireh Palace Cairo
The Egyptian Hotels Ltd.

Shepheard's Hotel May 16th, 1908.

My dear Colonel,

I arrived here day before yesterday having enjoyed a delightful voyage from Naples unexpectedly on an Orient Line steamer called the "Orient". My former dragoman met me at Port Said and has in advance started the work for which I particularly came --- the promised watches were a happy thought, and in delivering them personally, I received in return, unlooked for display of Arab characteristics. But of these I must not write --- they will be more amusing to tell! Old Arabi, from whom I bought the MSS. and I have already had two long interviews and I really believe he intends to give me the whole of the facts concerning the finding of the MSS. He has already sent up country for witnesses and assures me of positive proof of everything known in the matter. He seems truly delighted with the importance which the MSS have already been given by experts and is wild over the idea of having his name permanently identified with the matter. He has already told me enough concerning their resting-place to make me eager for every scrap of news. He is a marvellous old scamp who calls me "of his family" and thanks God for the discovery of our relationship. When he kisses my hand, crosses his breast and licks the end of his fingers, I try to think of Allah and look serious. But the farce, the sickening coffee and the surrounding filth will give me bad dreams. The excitement, afterso many quiet days on board, thus far almost prohibits sleep. I must confess however, to enjoying the quest greatly. Poker and all other games are as nothing. It's real living, real experience --- and beats winning a big contract for cars quite out of sight. In dealing with these Eastern devils one's imagination is really stirred; then, too, the environment is in keeping. In America, the same individuals and quest would be impossible! The blazing sun, the oriental colors, the crooked trails about Gezeh, the veiled but sill queerly unveiled women, the strange home-life, the quaint hospitality, the kind of courtesy offered by the head of the house, the thirst for gold; what it will buy, is all wonderful to a novice like myself --- Money never seemed to display its power to me, until I made the acquaintance of this new side partner of "my family", old Ali Arabi.

With all high wishes to you and yours,

Always sincerely yours,
C.L.F.

Long hand.