Early in life--fortunately for my interests and pleasures, but unfortunately for my pocket--I fell in with Egyptology.

I must have been bitten by some powerful scarab, for I took it bad.

I went out tomb-hunting; and managed to get a living of a sort, and to learn some things that you can't get out of books.

I was in pretty low water when I met your Father, who was doing some explorations on his own account; and since then I haven't found that I have many unsatisfied wants.

He is a real patron of the arts; no mad Egyptologist can ever hope for a better chief!" He spoke with feeling; and I was glad to see that Miss Trelawny coloured up with pleasure at the praise of her father.