Mysterious Cairo by Edited By Ed Stark, Dell Harris Read Free Book Online

thoughts in his facial movements, for the small man quickly took hold of his arm and led him through the maze.
    "Do not be so hasty to judge my collection, Mr. Cage," Payne said. "You would be amazed at the quality of treasures one can acquire at garage sales and attic cleanings."
    Payne's words surprised Cage. Had his expression been so obvious and easy to read? Or had he spoken his thoughts aloud without realizing it? He couldn't remember speaking, but lots of memories had been lost these past few months, washed away in an unending rain of vodka and orange juice. Cage allowed himself to be led to the first case.
    "Memories are often discarded for all the wrong reasons, Mr. Cage," Payne continued. "Neglect, carelessness, forgetfulness. I find such memories to be the most precious, most valuable kind. My stock and trade, if you will."
    Cage peered into the nearest display case. Inside, resting atop a bed of black velvet, was a piece of crumbled stone. A small spotlight was fixed upon it, making it glow in the small case.
    "A piece of the Great Pyramid," Payne acknowledged, "removed by the priestess Anhai for use in arcane ceremonies."
    The tour continued as Payne led Cage through the twists and turns of displays. Some cases revealed their contents willingly, easily. Others remained opaque, offering nothing more than a teasing, half-hidden glimpse as Cage walked by. He saw dried hearts and green scarabs, rune-encrusted scrolls and chunks of red glass. He saw gold, silver, and stone objects. He saw fingers and eyes and monkeys' paws. There were even mundane items like books and pens and candy wrappers. By the time they reached the last case, Cage had forgotten more items than he remembered. He felt like a kid in a toy store, excited, impressed, and eager to see more.
    "Dreams, desires and hopes, Mr. Cage," Payne proclaimed, spreading his arms wide. "One man's garbage is another man's glory, if seen in the proper light. And I only use the most proper lighting. But do you know the most exciting part of all this, Mr. Cage?"
    Angus Cage shook his head, but his eyes were wide with anticipation. There was something more exciting than the things he had already seen? He had to know what it was. He just had to!
    Payne leaned close, as though to share a special secret with Cage. He motioned for Cage to bend down, then he placed his lips against Cage's ear. Their touch was cold and dry, but the words he whispered were like runaway fire.
    "There is more to see!" Payne forced the low, barely audible words past his cold, dry lips and into Cage's ear. "I have saved the best exhibits just for you!"
    With that, Payne danced toward a shimmering black curtain set against the wall. Cage hadn't noticed it before, but that didn't surprise him. There was so much to see, so many strange and curious artifacts, that it was easy to miss a curtain of midnight black set against a blank portion of the wall. Payne gripped an edge of the curtain, but didn't quite pull it open. Instead, he paused and turned to look at his audience of one with gleeful eyes.
    "My exhibits have brought people from all over Cairo and the Nile Empire to this out-of-the-way alley," Payne declared in his carnival voice, tempting and titillating with tone, gestures and carefully-chosen words. His hand tightened upon the shimmering black curtain, which seemed to be trying to wriggle free of his grip. "I have traveled from realm to realm to gather, display, and sell my wares. From New Majestic to Paris Liberte to Cairo and back again, all for the enjoyment of the crowds. But my prized possession, my headlining exhibit if you will, has not yet been viewed by the general public. Oh no, Mr. Cage, I have saved this one just for you!"
    Hur-ree! Hur-ree! Hur-ree!
    Payne, first-rate showman that he was, released the curtain with an exaggerated gesture. As soon as his grip relaxed, the black curtain parted of its own accord to reveal a second room. "Step right up, Mr. Cage," Payne hawked. "Come