The whole of the back is covered thickly with bitumen, and so are the feet.
Then the workers seem to have changed their minds and left the inscriptions and decoration untouched.

Why they intended to cover it, and why, having commenced, they left it partially covered only, is a mystery.

The mummy was found in its original tomb and quite undisturbed, so far as tomb-robbers are concerned.

Poor Bellingham was greatly puzzled as to what the explanation could be." "Speaking of bitumen," said I, "reminds me of a question that has occurred to me.

You know that this substance has been used a good deal by modern painters and that it has a very dangerous peculiarity; I mean its tendency to liquefy, without any very obvious reason, long after it has dried." "Yes, I know.