1
Bim-bashi Baruk of Egypt
by Sax Rohmer
Chapter 1
Mystery Strikes at Ragstaff Hill
THERE WERE two witnesses of the remarkable incident on Ragstaff Hill--or two witnesses who reported it. In normal times the mystery would have been a front-page sensation; but these were not normal times. What happened was this:
Early one morning as reluctant winter fell back before spring--spear heads of crocus and daffodil were piercing the fresh green so recently white-mantled--Major Stampling, of Old Place, set out as was his custom to take a brisk walk to the top of the hill and back. He wore a plus-four suit and a cap of the same outstanding check, with a red woolen pullover having a polo collar to merge with the burgundy hue of his face. He carried an ash stick, and field glasses were swung over his shoulder.
At a point about midway between the gates of Old Place and the crown of the hill, the major pulled up sharply. The day promised perfection, and the view was one of which he never tired: a tableau of close-hedged farmland sweeping upward like a gesture to the pale blue sky outlining the crest. Sea tang spiced the air. Several magpies were exploring furrows of a neighboring meadow and the chatter of a host of their less comely cousins, the rooks, sounded pleasantly in his ears.
Just by an open gate, where a track led down to Hooper's Farm couched in the valley, and squarely in his path, a man was seated before a small easel, painting.
"Well, I'll be dashed," muttered the major.
It was not that the prospect failed to merit the