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McDonald.”
    “Isis.”
    “Michael!” Isis sounded genuinely happy to hear from him. “It is so good to hear your voice.”
    “Isis, I have really missed you. I’ll be flying up to Washington in a couple of weeks. Will you be free?”
    “Oh … let me see … I think I might be able to work it in.” She laughed, and he suddenly wished he could arrange the trip sooner.
    “I’m glad you have an opening in your busy schedule.”
    “Michael, how have you been? Overworking yourself as usual?”
    “Probably no more than you.”
    “Have you been staying out of trouble?”
    There was a pause. “Well…”
    “Come on. What’s going on?”
    “I’ve gotten a couple of notes from Methuselah.”
    “Aha,” she teased, “so that’s why you called. Okay, what is it this time?”
    “King Yamani.”
    “Who?”
    Murphy’s heart fell. “King Yamani. Have you ever run across his name before in your studies?”
    “No. But his name has a definite Middle Eastern sound to it. Would you like me to do some research?”
    “That would be great. Anything you can dig up on him would be helpful.”
    “Sounds mysterious. Are you planning some new expedition?”
    “Not this time. I’m just trying to find out who he is.”
    Isis paused for a second. “Is that a class bell I hear in the background?”
    “I’m afraid it is. I’m on in about five minutes.”
    “I’ll try and see if I can run it down for you, Michael. In the meantime, you get some rest.”
    “I’ll try. I can’t wait till I see you.”
    “Me too.”
    Shari not so subtly wandered over to Murphy’s desk. “Well?”
    “Well, what?
    “Well, how is she doing?” There was a sly grin on her face.
    “Are you trying to play matchmaker?”
    “The thought never crossed my mind,” she protested with feigned innocence. “By the way, Professor, Bob Wagoner called my cell phonewhile you were talking with Ms. McDonald. He said that he tried to reach you on the other line but it was busy, and he would like you to call him at his office. He sounded a little agitated.”
    “Thank you, Shari. Say, have you heard anything back from the FBI about that fingerprint I sent them a while ago?”
    “The one you took off the signboard in the Reed Gold Mine?”
    “That’s it. I think it might be Methuselah’s. If it is, it will be his first mistake. It might help us find out who he is.”
    “They haven’t responded yet. I’ll give them a call for you. They’ve certainly had enough time.”
    “You would think so.” He shook his head. “Never underestimate government bureaucracy.”
    Murphy gathered some papers and put them in his briefcase. As he turned to leave, his phone rang. He reached back and answered it.
    “Michael Murphy.”
    “Michael.”
    “Oh, hi, Bob. I was going to give you a buzz after class. Shari mentioned that you called.”
    “Could we meet for lunch?”
    “Sure. Is there something going on?”
    “I think there may be, Michael. I need your advice.”
    “My class won’t be over till noon. Could we shoot for a quarter to one?”
    “That’ll be great, Michael. Would the Adam’s Apple at twelve forty-five be all right? I know you like the food there.”
    “Best chicken sandwich in town. See you there.”

NINE
    MURPHY INCREASED HIS PACE as he neared the Memorial Lecture Hall. If there was one thing he hated, it was being late for anything. He didn’t like it when other people were late for meetings with him, and he was fanatical about promptness himself. He had traced this idiosyncrasy back to an experience in fifth grade. It was the day a field trip was planned to the Hershey factory. He loved chocolate and was excited about going. He had arrived at school about five minutes late, only to find out that the class had boarded the bus and left without him. It was devastating.
    Murphy looked at his watch.
Three minutes
.
    The lecture hall was almost full when he entered. Most of the students chatted in small groups. Some were on cell phones