elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第52章

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　were　several　horsemen：　the　governor；　flashing　with　gold；　his　fleshy　face　set　in　a　look　of　conscious　piety；　and；　next　to　him；　flanked　by　two　officers　in　Turkish　uniform　。　。　。
　Ramses　got　only　a　glimpse　of　a　bearded　profile　and　prominent；　hawklike　nose；　before　a　gun　went　off；　so　close　to　his　ear；　it　momentarily　deafened　him。　He　spun　round　and　struck　the　weapon　out　of　Chetwode's　hand。　The　second　shot　went　wild。
　〃You　goddamned　fool！〃
　Chetwode's　lips　moved。　Ramses　couldn't　hear　what　he　said；　the　people　around　them　were　screaming　and　shoving；　some　of　them　trying　to　reach　the　would…be　assassin；　others　…　the　wiser　majority　…　scampering　for　safety。　There　was　no　such　thing　as　an　innocent　bystander　in　the　eyes　of　Ottoman　officials。
　〃Run！〃　Ramses　yelled；　and　emphasized　the　order　with　a　shove。　Chetwode　gave　him　a　wild…eyed　stare　and　dashed　off。　Ramses　tripped　one　of　the　avengers　who　were　closing　in；　knocked　another　one　down；　ducked　under　the　outstretched　arms　of　a　third；　and　set　out　at　a　run　toward　the　mosque。
　〃That's　the　man！　Stop　him！〃　someone　shouted　in　Turkish。　He　heard　the　pound　of　hoofbeats　behind　him　and　threw　himself　aside　in　time　to　avoid　being　ridden　down；　but　the　brief　delay　was　fatal。　When　he　got　to　his　feet　he　was　surrounded　by　the　gaudily　uniformed　guard；　all　heroically　brandishing　their　swords。
　〃No　weapons；〃　the　officer　ordered。　〃Take　him　alive。〃
　Ramses　considered　his　options。　He　could　only　think　of　two；　and　neither　held　much　appeal。　He　could　cringe　and　whine　and　deny　guilt；　or　he　could　take　on　six　men。　It　would　end　the　same　in　either　case；　so　he　decided　to　give　himself　the　satisfaction　of　hitting　someone。
　He　had　two　of　them　on　the　ground　and　a　third　on　his　knees；　when　a　missile　skimmed　the　side　of　his　head；　hard　enough　to　throw　him　off　balance　for　a　vital　moment。　Flat　on　his　back；　with　four　of　them　pinning　his　arms　and　legs；　he　reconsidered　his　options。　There　didn't　seem　to　be　any。
　The　officer　raked　his　men　with　a　scornful　eye。　〃Six　against　one；　and　it　took　a　lucky　throw　from　a　safe　distance　to　bring　him　down。　Tie　his　hands；　my　brave　fellows；　or　he　may　yet　escape　you。〃
　Not　much　chance　of　that；　Ramses　knew。　The　blow　on　the　head　had　left　him　slightly　giddy　and　there　was　blood　trickling　down　his　face。　After　they　had　bound　his　hands　behind　him；　one　of　them　looped　a　rope　round　his　neck　and　fastened　it　to　the　leader's　saddle。　Wonderful。　One　slip；　on　any　of　the　scraps　of　rotting　fruit　that　littered　the　street；　and　he'd　be　dragged；　choking；　until　the　officer　decided　to　stop。　The　only　positive　feature　in　an　otherwise　gloomy　situation　was　that　Chetwode　was　nowhere　in　sight。
　Hot　sunlight　beat　down　on　the　deserted　square。　No　…　not　quite　deserted。　The　onlookers　had　fled　and　the　guard　must　have　escorted　the　dignitaries　to　safety；　but　from　the　opposite　side　of　the　square　a　rider　was　ing　slowly　toward　them。　Ramses　stared；　hoping　his　eyes　had　deceived　him；　knowing　they　hadn't。　He'd　believed　his　situation　couldn't　be　any　worse。　He　had　been　wrong。
　The　rider　had　only　a　single　escort；　a　servant　who　followed　at　a　respectful　distance。　His　mount　was　superb　…　a　roan　stallion；　his　tail　and　mane　braided　with　bright　ribbons。　He　was　an　impressive　specimen；　too；　a　tall；　heavily　built　man　with　finely　cut　features　and　a　neat　gray　beard。　His　robes　were　of　silk　and　on　the　front　of　his　turban　was　a　jewel　of　rubies　and　emeralds；　surmounted　by　a　white　egret　feather。　Even　the　whip　he　held　had　a　jeweled；　enameled　handle。　He　pulled　up　next　to　Ramses　and　acknowledged　the　officer's　respectful　salute　with　a　casual　movement　of　his　hand。
　〃What　is　this？〃　he　asked　in　Turkish。
　〃As　you　see；　Sahin　Pasha。　We　have　captured　the　assassin。〃
　So　now　he's　a　pasha；　Ramses　thought。　What　was　the　head　of　the　Turkish　secret　service　doing　in　Gaza？　His　first　and　…　he　had　hoped　…　last　encounter　with　this　formidable　individual　had　ended　in　the　failure　of　Sahin's　mission；　it　wouldn't　be　surprising　if　he　bore　a　grudge　against　the　man　who　had　been　partially　responsible。　Ramses　could　only　pray　the　Turk　wouldn't　recognize　him。　He　was　bareheaded；　having　lost　his　khafiyeh　during　the　fight；　but　in　his　filthy　torn　robes；　bearded　and　disheveled；　he　bore　little　resemblance　to　the　man　Sahin　had　last　seen　…　disheveled；　admittedly；　but　clean…shaven　and　in　European　clothing。　He　cringed　and　ducked　his　head。
　〃We　are　taking　him　to　His　Excellency　the　Kaimakam；〃　the　officer　went　on。
　〃The　governor？　Why？〃
　〃Because　…　because　…　why；　because　he　is　an　assassin！　One　of　those　fanatics　who　would　rebel　against　our　benevolent　rule；　who　…〃
　〃No；〃　Sahin　said。　The　handle　of　the　whip　caught　Ramses　under　the　chin　and　forced　his　head　up。　The　Turk　studied　him　thoughtfully　for　a　few　seconds。　Then　he　leaned　down　and　with　a　powerful　jerk　pulled　the　beard　off；　taking　several　square　inches　of　skin　with　it。　Ramses　straightened　and　met　the　Turk's　inquiring　gaze。　He　was　in　for　it　now。
　〃Ah；〃　Sahin　Pasha　said；　and　smiled。　〃I　relieve　you　of　your　prisoner；　Bimbashi。〃
　〃But；　Your　Excellency　…　
　〃He　is　an　English　spy。　Espionage　is　my　department；　Bimbashi。　Do　you　question　my　authority？〃　He　beckoned　his　servant；　who　dismounted　and　untied　the　rope　from　the　officer's　saddle。
　The　officer　didn't　like　what　was　happening。　A　direct　refusal　was　more　than　he　dared　risk；　but　he　ventured　to　protest。　〃You　will　need　an　escort；　Excellency。　He　fights　like　a　demon。　It　took　six　of　my　men　…〃
　〃No　need　for　that；〃　Sahin　said　affably。　He　raised　his　arm　and　brought　the　whip　handle　down。
　
　　
　
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　FROM　MANUSCRIPT　H　（CONTINUED）
　　
　It　was　a　very　pleasant　dream。　The　surface　on　which　he　lay　was　soft　and　faintly　perfumed。　Above　him　arched　a　golden　canopy　…　yellow　silk；　gilded　by　sunlight　streaming　through　the　gathered　folds。　He　could　hear　birdsong　and　the　crystalline　tinkle　of　water。
　The　only　discordant　note　was　a　headache　of　stupendous　proportions。　He　raised　his　hand　to　his　temple；　and　a　familiar　voice　said；　〃Try　this。　I　do　not　indulge；　of　course；　but　I　keep　it　for　certain　of　my　guests。〃
　It　wasn't　a　dream。　Ramses　sat　up。　A　few　feet　away；　cross…legged　on　a　pile　of　tasseled　cushions；　Sahin　held　out　a　glass　half…filled　with　an　amber　liquid。
　Ramses　started　to　shake　his　head　and　thought　better　of　it。　〃No；　thank　you；〃　he　mumbled　in　Turkish　…　the　same　language　the　other　man　had　used。
　〃It　is　not　drugged。　But；　as　you　like。〃　His　host　placed　the　glass　on　a　brass　tray　and　reached　for　the　mouthpiece　of　his　water　pipe。　He　smoked　contentedly　for　a　time；　for　all　the　world　like　a　courteous　host　waiting　for　his　guest　to　get　his　wits　back。
　It　took　a　while。　When　the　Turk's　blow　had　landed；　sinking　him　into　unconsciousness；　Ramses　expected　he　would　wake　up　in　a　dark；　verminous　cell；　with　various　people　holding　various　sharp；　heavy；　or　red…hot　implements。　This　room　was　airy　and　bright；　probably　the　mandarah；　the　principal　chamber　where　guests　were　received。　The　central　part　of　the　room　was　several　inches　lower　than　the　rest；　tiled　in　tasteful　patterns　of　red　and　black　and　white；　with　a　small　fountain　at　one　end。　The　alcove　in　which　he　was　now　sitting　was　draped　with　silk　and　floored　with　cushions。　He　was　wearing　only　a　shirt　and　drawers；　they　had　removed　his　stained　robe　and　dirty　sandals；　and　cleaned　the　worst　of　the　muck　off　his　body。　One　wouldn't　want　those　satin　cushions　smeared　with　rotten　fruit　and　donkey　dung。
　〃I　regret　the　necessity　of　that；〃　Sahin　said；　as　Ramses　explored　the　lump　on　his　head　with　cautious　fingers。　〃I　knew　you　would　not　e　willingly；　and　resistance　might　have　caused　you　serious　injury。〃
　〃How　can　I　ever　thank　you？〃　Ramses　inquired；　slipping　into　English。　The　Turk　laughed　aloud。
　〃It　is　a　pleasure　to　match　wits　with　you　again；　my　young　friend。　I　was　delighted　to　hear　that　against　all　my　expectations　you　had　survived　that　interesting　affair　outside　Cairo；　but　I　am　uncertain　as　to　the　details。　How　did　you　manage　it？〃
　Ramses　considered　the　question。　It　was　loaded　with　potential　pitfalls；　and　the　genial　conversational　tone；　the　fortable　surroundings；　were　designed　to　lower　his　guard。　A　new　interrogation　technique？　He　preferred　it　to　the　methods　the　Turks　usually　employed；　but　he　would　have　to　be　careful。
　〃My　affectionate　family　came　to　the　rescue；〃　he　said；　feeling　certain　that　this　information　must　have　reached　Sahin's　ears。　〃You　know　my　father。〃
　〃By　reputation　only。　It　is　a　formidable　reputation。　I　hope　one　day　to　have　the　honor　of　meeting　him。　So　he　heard　of　your　…　er　…　dilemma　…　from　your　friend；　whom　I　did　not　succeed　in　killing　after　all？　I　might　have　done；　had　you　not　spoiled　my　aim。〃
　〃Possibly。〃
　Sahin　drew　the　smoke　deep　into　his　lungs。　〃You　also　spoiled　a　pretty　little　scheme　which　had　been　long　in　the　making。　What　are　you　after　now？　Why　are　you　here？〃
　〃Just　having　a　look　round。〃
　〃I　do　admire　the　imprecision　of　the　English　language；〃　Sahin　said。　〃So　useful　when　one　wishes　to　avoid　answering　a　question。〃
　〃Would　you　prefer　to　speak　Turkish？　I　don't　find　it　as　easy　to　equivocate　in　that　language。〃
　Sahin's　beard　parted；　showing　his　teeth。　〃I　think　you　could　equivocate　in　any　language；　my　boy。　In　this　case；　it　is　a　waste　of　time。　You　were　caught　in　the　act。　A　particularly　futile　act；　I　might　add。　In　that　jostling　crowd　you　had　little　chance　of　killing　him。〃
　〃I　didn't　succeed；　did　I？〃
　〃You　hit　the　governor；〃　Sahin　said；　his　smile　broadening。　〃A　flesh　wound　in　a　particularly　awkward　place。　He's　very　annoyed　with　you。〃
　No　mention　of　anyone　else。　Did　that　mean　Chetwode　had　got　away？　Good　luck　to　the　young　fool；　Ramses　thought　sourly。　He　had　only　been　obeying　orders。　He　put　his　head　in　his　hands。　Thinking　about　Chetwode　worsened　his　headache。
　〃What　can　I　offer　you？〃　Sahin　asked　solicitously。　〃If　you　don't　want　brandy；　what　about　coffee　or　mint　tea？〃
　He　clapped　his　hands。　The　servant　who　entered　was　so　anxious　to　show　the　proper　deference；　he　was　bent　over　at　the　waist；　his　face　only　a　few　inches　from　the　tray　he　carried。　Obeying　a　brusque　gesture　from　Sahin；　he　deposited　it　on　a　low　table　beside　Ramses　and　backed　out；　still　at　a　right　angle。　The　heavy　curtains　closed　after　him。　〃Please　help　yourself；〃　Sahin　said。　〃They　have　not　been　drugged。〃
　Ramses's　throat　was　painfully　dry；　and　he　concluded　it　would　be　expedient　to　accept　something。　To　refuse　hospitality　was　an　affront；　and　it　was　unlikely　Sahin　had　ordered　the　drinks　to　be　drugged。　And　what　difference　would　it　make　if　he　had？
　So　he　picked　up　the　glass　of　tea　and　sipped　it　gratefully；　holding　the　hot　glass　by　the　rim；　while　the　Turk　smoked　in　pensive　silence。　Then　he　said　suddenly；　〃I　have　a　daughter。〃
　〃My　felicitations；〃　Ramses　said；　wondering　what　the　devil　this　had　to　do　with　anything。　〃When　did　the　happy　event　occur？〃
　〃Eighteen　years　ago。〃
　〃Eighteen　…〃
　〃Yes；　she　should　have　been　married　long　before　this。　It　is　not　for　lack　of　offers。　She　is　beautiful；　well　born；　and　educated。　She　speaks　and　writes　English。　She　is　somewhat　headstrong；　but　I　believe　you　prefer　women　of　that　sort。〃　He　looked　hopefully　at　Ramses；　who　had　begun　to　feel　like　Alice。　What　sort　of　rabbit　hole　had　he　fallen　into？　Surely　Sahin　Pasha　didn't　mean　。　。　。　Silence　seemed　the　safest　course。
　〃The　war　cannot　last　forever；〃　the　Turk　went　on。　〃We　will　not　always　be　enemies。　You　have　the　qualities　I　would　l