Unknown by Braven Read Free Book Online Page B

with
curiosity, which was heightened by the fact that one of the
slats of the packing case was obviously loose.
    For a moment Holmes
waged an inner struggle and then lost it, crossing to secure the
clasp knife, though this time he made sure his unanswered
correspondence remained neatly stacked on the mantel.
    "See here, the
object is earmarked for your brother," I protested.
    "Agreed, but
Mycroft would not deny us a peek, ol' chap."
    Holmes had the loose
piece of wood pried up before I could muster another objection, and
by then it was too late. The knife's stout blade was working out the
thin nails that secured the crate and, I blush to admit, I was
helping Holmes for I, too, had caught the flash of gold in the light
of the fireplace.
    What was revealed was
certainly unusual. It was the size of a small steamer trunk but
glistened with a color unknown to commercial luggage. It was
rectangular and its sides were adorned with figures and objects that
were strange to me. Finally, an obvious thought forced itself upon
me.
    "Holmes, if this is
of gold, how did we lift it so easily?"
    My friend tapped the top
of the box with his knuckles.
    "Made of wood, I'd
say, Watson, and overlaid with sheet gold. A backing of plaster,
perhaps."
    He had his pocket glass
in hand now.
    "The ornamental
work marks its origin. Egyptian without a doubt. Note the
figures, male and female."
    "The males seem to
wear a kilt type of skirt."
    "With the navels
showing in each case," replied Holmes. "I believe that is a
mark of a certain period in Egyptian art but don't recall which one.
See the plethora of signs? Cobras, birds, and this one,
resembling our infinity sign, is the life symbol of the Egyptians."
    "Whatever do you
suppose is inside?"
    "That tantalizing
thought must remain unanswered, ol' fellow, for we seem denied even a
brief look-see."
    The sleuth's index
finger indicated silver bolts that slid through gold staples and were
secured firmly by small and strange-looking locks. Evidently the top
of this shiny box opened in the middle like a miniature double door.
"The greater mystery is why this object is here. This is no
error, for it is plainly addressed to 221B Baker Street."
    Holmes stood by the
mantel for a moment, his broad brow furrowed in thought, and then
either he reached a decision or some new idea came to his superb
mind.
    "Well, I can draw
no meaning from the ornamentation save that it reflects court scenes.
Egypt must remain Mycroft's specialty until we learn more, and
as to the contents, we can do naught but guess. Here, Watson,
let's stretch this afghan over the container, for the hour grows
late."
    Automatically I helped
Holmes cover the box, though his reason for doing this escaped me
completely. Once the object was under the afghan that my friend took
from our couch, a rapid gesture of warning put me on the alert. All
was not as it seemed.
    "Let's see,"
said Holmes calmly. "I'd best get these messages out of the
way."
    He was at the desk
fiddling with papers but only with one hand. The other was signaling
towards my medical bag by the cane rack and I made for it with
alacrity, bringing it to Holmes at the desk. He kept up a desultory
flow of conversation, like a man preparing to retire for the night,
all the while removing my stethoscope.
    "Stir up the fire,
will you, good fellow?" he suggested, affixing the instrument to
his head.
    I had a poker in my hand
in a moment and stirred up the logs, noting that Holmes tiptoed to
the covered object and applied the stethoscope to its cover. I took
pains at this point not to make undue noise and, after a moment,
Holmes seemed satisfied and removed himself to the desk area where he
restored my indispensable medical aid to its resting place.
    "Well, Watson,
shall we turn in?"
    "I'm for it,"
I said rather loudly, and my accompanying yawn was authentic and not
dumb show.
    Without further ado
Holmes extinguished the lights, but now I understood his suggestion
regarding the fire since the flames