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“Yes, yes.” Albright’s gaze snapped back to Halstead. “I’ve tried to prove they’re forgeries, but those scrolls are real. All seven are real. And they weren’t planted there. How did you know about those scrolls, Mister Hitler? Who are you?” Halstead smiled, entwined his fingers behind the small of his back, and looked downward as the professor looked over. “The answer to those two questions is one and the same. ‘Who I am’ shall be revealed in due time.” Now he looked over himself. “Herr Hess and I will be traveling up the Nile tomorrow. To the Valley of the Kings, to do a little ‘sightseeing,’ as I described it to the authorities. Would you like to join us?” “Yes, I would.” Albright raised his right hand to his chin. “What will we be seeing?” “The pyramids, first. I’ve always wanted to see them, and never got around to it. We’ll stay in Cairo tomorrow night, then head further up the river the next day.” Halstead scraped more sand with a swivel back in the direction of the hotel. “Let’s get some rest, why don’t we? We have a big trip ahead of us.” “Yes, yes,” Albright concurred as he followed the other man’s lead. “Let’s do.”
############It was at that moment that a third man followed the head waiter’s outstretched arm into the garden and approached them with a quick-yet-awkward stride. “Would one of you be Mister Hitler?” “He is I.” Halstead smiled and stretched one arm in Albright’s direction. “You must be Maynard Owen Williams. Allow me to introduce Doctor William Albright.” “How do you do?” Williams asked as he shook Albright’s hand, and then Halstead’s. “I came as soon as I got your last telegram.” |