midnight
`` Although Brugsch 's book is elementary , there is something more behind it -- '' A sudden idea came into his head , an unpleasant idea , and with it , a memory . His visitor of the night before had brought a mysterious bag -LRB- which Sheard first had observed in his hand as they fled from the Museum -RRB- into the house with him . It was evidently heavy ; but to questions regarding it he had shaken his head , smilingly replying that he would know in good time why it called for such special attention . He remembered , too , that the midnight caller carried it when he departed , for he had rested it upon the gravel path whilst bidding him good-night . Frowning uneasily , he stepped to the bookcase . It was a very deep one , occupying a recess . With nervous haste he removed `` Egypt Under the Pharaohs , '' and his painful suspicion became a certainty .