midnight
Helped by Anthony , after the sun had set and the mounds were deserted , I staked out the most promising `` claims , '' and marked each space with the name of the `` miner '' for whom I intended it . In Monny 's patch , near the surface where she could not possibly miss it , I buried a letter wrapped round a cow-eared head of Hathor which I had bought at the Egyptian Museum-shop . Now , in justice to myself , I must tell you that this letter was no common letter , such as any Tom , Dick , or Harry may write to the Mary Jane Smith of the moment . It was a missive which cost me midnight electricity and brain-strain ; for not only must I appeal to my lady , I must also suit an environment . Monny had taken up the study of hieroglyphics , in order to appreciate intelligently the tombs and temples of the Nile . She had bought books , and was learning with the energy of a stenographer , to write and read . She wrote out exercises , and submitted them for correction to `` Antoun '' who , as an Egyptian , was to be considered an authority .