The Idol Hands of Death

Mysterious Death of Enfield Expedition Digger;
Natives Fear Curse as Explanation

Rashid Al-Ghul, one of the diggers working for Professors Enfield and Chadwick on the Enfield Expedition, was found dead yesterday morning, strangled with a snapped neck. Eyewitnesses to the murder claim that the killer was a "walking mummy from the tomb." They describe a six foot tall creature clothed in mummification wrappings.

Major Routley, investigating the death at the request of Cairo officials, stated that the witnesses were undoubtedly affected by the current curse hysteria.

"There are no such things as the walking undead," he said. "This is probably someone with a personal reason to murder Mr. Al-Ghul. The person was disguised as a mummy to cover their crime."

Local officials were skeptical. Inspector Barzid of the Cairo police tracked the "mummy sightings" for quite some distance.

"It came in from the desert last night. It walked on a straight line from the Enfield camp to where we found Al-Ghul's body. You English think you know everything. This curse is real."

Traces of the wrappings of the "mummy" have been discovered along the route. These traces are being analyzed by Professor Smythe.

Several local religious and political authorities suggested to this reporter that the lives of the members of the Enfield Expedition are in danger.

Colonel Thompson to Host Tea for Enfield Expedition, other Visitors to Area

Colonel Gillette Thompson and his wife Calliope are hosting a tea for the members of the Enfield Expedition. Also invited are several foreigners new to the region.

Professor George Edward Enfield is expected to reveal an archaeological find of some importance. This is smashing news for the expedition, to have a major find in only two short months of digging.

Miss Katya Irinova will present her appeal on behalf of the starving children of Russia. The Russian Civil War has been difficult on peasants, forcing them to exist on grass soup. This reporter hopes that Miss Irinova has some success at alleviating these wretched conditions. Other British and American efforts are already feeding thousands.

Colonel Thompson has also invited several important locals to this event. Mr. Ras Akbar, Mr. Hassan Nur Faroukh, and Mr. Abbas Ibn Abbas will be there to add a local flavor to the festivities. The lads at the Hunt Club will want to hear all of the details, and so will we.