The Mamur Zapt and the Spoils of Egypt

‘They’re the Agency people,’ said the Mudir. ‘We get to know them quite well.’

‘What do they do?’ asked Owen.

‘Well, suppose you had brought some antiquities and you wanted to send them back to England: you could do it yourself or you could ask an Agency to handle it for you. Most people use an Agency. It saves a lot of work. You see, if it’s antiquities you have to send them to the Museum to be valued—’

‘Yes,’ said Owen. ‘I know about that.’

‘You do? Well, you can see it’s much simpler if an Agency does it all for you. They pick up the antiquities, pack them, send them to the Museum, collect them, despatch them to Alexandria and see them through the Customs here. Much simpler.’