TAA i.2.1.83

Nov. 8^th

I called on the H.C. Lord Allenby and explained to him the

whole situation. He gave me every reason to believe that he

was in perfect sympathy with my case.

<Sunday <Monday>>

          12.

A document covering the Eg. Gov. decision was promised me

on Saturday (Nov. 10) for signature, as I had received

nothing on Sunday (Nov 11) I returned to Luxor, after having

sent Merton to inquire at the Ministry. He found the Gov.

to be again shilly-shallying with only a vague promise of some

definite settlement on the following Tuesday (Nov. 13). / So to

force matters I was prepared to recover the tomb and stop

work altogether. Left Merton in charge in Cairo.

<Monday/<Tues>>

          13.

Received message from Burton 5 pm informing me that

Mace (who arrived on Nov 12) and Bethell (who had arrived

in Cairo on Nov. 7.) were coming at once to Luxor to consult

me.

          14.

Mace & Bethell brought me the Gov. final decision, with

general advice for me to accept. In its main points it

was satisfactory but the reservations so weakened it

that I thought it prudent to return to Cairo and see

Lord Allenby, ask his advice, before sending an agreement

to the proposals.

          15.

Returned to Cairo with Mace.

          16/<5>.

Saw Lord Allenby 11.30 pm.^sic {am}. Saw Tottenham 4.30 pm.,

when I gave him my agreement to the Eg. Gov. proposals

In[?] in lawyer's form of letter covering myself and rights.

Tottenham led me to understand it would be accepted.

For details of the whole negotiations from beginning to the

end see file "Press Controversy and Eg. Gov." N^o 8.

          17.

Returned Luxor with Merton and Mace ₌ Crossed over

to Gurna. First copies of the Tut.Ankh.Amen book arrived.

          18.

Made preparations to recommence work and open tomb on

the morrow (Nov. 19.). 5 men & 15 boys actually began

and completed the removal of the rubbish in the Staircase

Entrance. Mace & self experimented on our new contrivances

for paraffin wax for preservation of the objects.

          19^th

Removed timber blocking from outer doorway of Tomb.

Fixed new wooden door on same.

Examined interior found everything in order.

Mace commenced preservation of Couch N^o 35 - Lion headded^sic {headed}.

Lunched in Magazine for first time this Season, with Bethell,

Merton, Mace, Burton and Callender.