TAA i.2.1.109

Feb. 4.

Removed the four parts of the IV^th Shrine (239)

Shew, Bethell, Breasted (who came in the afternoon) and Newberry

the Sarcophagus.

     "   6

Took dimensions of the sarcophagus for necessary glass & tackle

to remove the lid. Many visitors came which gave one little

time.

Left for Cairo in the Evening with view of seeing the

Min. of P. W. D (Morkhas Bey Hanna).

     "   7.

As arranged with Tottenham the press were allowed to

visit the tomb during the morning.

Arrived Cairo. Saw Gardiner in the morning with whom

I had a long conversation in/<wi>th regard to attitude with this

new Ministry. He assuring me that their attitude

was to be friendly, and to be willing to let by gones

be by gones. He (Gardiner) seemed to have medled^sic {meddled}

with the affair rather much, but with obviously good

intention.

As arranged saw Min. P. W. D. at 5 pm at the

P. W. D. On arrival I was told that the Min. was late

and that I should have to wait some twenty minutes.

While so doing I was called to go and see Tottenham

at his office, when Tottenham advised me to only

ne raised/<e> the question of the opening of the Sarcophagus with the

Minister - in fact he said it would be better if all former negotiations

&/<c>ould be forgotten & papers destroyed. Tottenham, then ha having

thus somewhat disarmed me, suddenly thrust upon me a document

which his ministry considered threw light upon the question of

division of the discovery. This document was no less than a

permit given to Lord C. to make an investigation in the Great Northern

Valley (8. Dec. 1918) where I thought I had made a possible discovery.

At first I did not recognise it, but when Tottenham pointed out

that it was signed by me & I began to read it carefully

the whole subject came clear to my memory & I at once

explained to him that it had nothing to do with the Valley

of the Kings Contract. We then proceeded to the office of the

Min. P. W. D.

There, with Tottenham, I met the new Minister, Mer/<a>khas {Makhas} Bey Hanna,

who appeared to be most gracious, and who almost immediately

complained that I had sent Gardiner to him with complaint <against the S. des A.>.

This I explained was a mistake and that I believed Gardiner l[?]

gone to him on a matter/<as representative> of his colleagues with regard to their

feelings in the question of action on part of the S. des A., and that

it was nothing to do with me. The Min. then ask[ed] me if I was

'in accord' with the Service of Antiquities and I told him that

I was not 'in accord' with their methods of administration

but that personally <other than that> my feelings were quite different. He said

or rather asked me that I had any grievances would I write

him on the matter. I answered in the affirmative. The Min.

said that <I> thought possibly I <had thought> might be legally within my Rights.