Donald Ransome is an Egyptologist and is planning on going on an exhibition to uncover the tomb of Kamoshek. However his uncle Frederic controls Donald’s inheritance from his father is unwilling to release any money to him to go on the expedition. Despite that Donald tells him he is still going. His uncle threatens to cut him off from his fathers will altogether and warns Donald he will be sorry if he disobeys him and goes to Egypt. Three months later Frederick receives a package in the post from Egypt containing a piece of old bone and a letter informing him that his nephew Donald is dead.