elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第54章

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　But　they　had　met　no　one　and　seen　no　one　when　she　finally　stopped　by　a　wooden　door　and　tugged　at　the　handle。　Somehow　Ramses　was　not　surprised　when　the　portal　swung　silently　open。　Stars　shone　bright　overhead；　illumining　a　walled　courtyard。　It　was　strictly　utilitarian；　no　fountain；　no　flowers；　only　weeds　and　piles　of　trash。　They　were　at　the　back　of　the　villa；　near　the　kitchens。　He　looked　up；　scanning　the　night　sky；　and　found　the　Dipper　and　the　North　Star。　It　would　be　light　in　a　few　hours。　Time　was　definitely　of　the　essence；　but　there　was　one　question　he　had　to　ask。
　He　turned　to　the　girl。　〃Who　helped　you？〃
　〃No　one　helped　me！　I　did　it　myself；　all　of　it。　I　saw　you　today　when　they　brought　you　in；　and　I　。　。　。　There　is　no　time　for　this。　You　must　hurry。〃
　〃But　how　did　you　know　…〃
　〃No　questions！　It　won't　be　easy　to　find　your　way　out　of　the　city。　I　must　show　you　where　…〃
　〃No；　go　back　to　your　rooms　before　you　are　missed。　I　know　where　I　am　now。〃
　She　put　her　hands　on　his　arms。　〃A　horse。　I　will　get　one　for　you。〃
　〃Why　don't　you　just　paint　a　target　on　my　back？〃　Ramses　inquired；　and　immediately　felt　guilty　when　her　mouth　quivered　pathetically。　Her　face　was　so　close　he　could　see　the　kohl　lining　her　eyes。　She'd　made　herself　up　as　if　for　an　assignation；　and　that　absurd　pink　frock　was　probably　one　of　her　best。
　〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　whispered；　and　although　every　moment　counted　now；　he　racked　his　brain　to　remember　a　few　pleasing　platitudes。　〃You　have　saved　my　life。　I　will　never　forget　…〃
　His　breath　came　out　in　a　grunt　as　she　threw　herself　against　him。　〃We　will　meet　again　one　day；〃　she　gasped。　〃You　can　never　be　mine；　but　your　image　will　be　enshrined　in　my　heart！〃
　〃I　forgot　that　one；〃　Ramses　muttered。　She　was　a　well…rounded　armful；　soft　and　warm　and　heavy；　and　there　seemed　to　be　only　one　way　of　getting　her　to　stop　talking。
　So　he　kissed　her；　thoroughly　but　somewhat　absentmindedly；　and　then　detached　the　clinging　arms　and　propelled　her　through　the　open　door。
　〃Through　that　gate；〃　she　panted。　〃Turn　to　the　left　…〃
　〃Yes；　right。　Uh　…　God　bless　you。〃
　He　pulled　the　door　shut　and　headed；　not　for　the　gate；　but　for　the　wall　to　his　right。　How　long　would　it　be　before　they　discovered　he　was　gone；　and　warned　the　defenders　that　an　English　spy　was　on　the　loose？　Maybe　not　for　hours。　Maybe　a　lot　sooner。　He　couldn't　take　the　chance　of　waiting　until　morning　and　strolling　out　the　way　he　had　e。
　Once　over　the　wall；　he　found　himself　in　a　typical　Middle　Eastern　street；　narrow；　dusty；　and　extremely　dark。　His　suspicions　had　been　incorrect；　there　was　no　one　lurking　outside　the　gate。
　He　had　exaggerated　a　trifle　when　he　told　the　girl　he　knew　where　he　was；　but　it　didn't　take　long　to　orient　himself。　The　lacy；　domed　minaret　of　the　Great　Mosque　pricked　the　moonlit　sky　to　the　southwest。　He　was　near　the　Serai；　then；　the　governor's　palace；　and　the　quickest　way　out　of　town　was　westward。
　It　took　him　longer　than　he　had　hoped。　He　had　to　avoid　the　main　east…west　street；　which　was　well　lighted；　with　men　standing　guard　at　the　entrances　to　official　buildings。　The　lanes　wound　in　illogical　curves；　and　twice　he　had　to　climb　a　wall　to　avoid　patrols。　Luckily　the　marching　men　made　enough　noise　to　warn　him　of　their　approach。
　Three　miles　of　sand　dunes　separated　Gaza　from　the　Mediterranean。　There　was　plenty　of　cover　…　the　ruins　of　the　ancient　seaport　of　Gaza　…　and　the　picket　lines　were　widely　spaced；　since　their　primary　purpose　was　to　guard　against　agents　who　might　be　landed　from　the　sea。　The　first　pallid　light　of　dawn　was　showing　in　the　east　before　Ramses　waded　out　into　the　water。　He　had　hoped　to　〃borrow〃　a　fishing　boat　under　cover　of　darkness；　but　it　was　too　late　now；　a　boat　would　be　seen　and　fired　upon。　With　a　heartfelt　groan；　he　shed　Sahin's　caftan　and　began　to　swim。
　
　〃He's　all　right；〃　Nefret　said。　〃Believe　me。　I　always　know　when　he　isn't。〃
　I　wanted　to　believe　her。　The　bond　between　them　was　so　strong　that　she　had　always　been　able　to　sense；　not　so　much　danger　…　Ramses　was　in　trouble　a　good　deal　of　the　time　…　but　an　imminent　threat　to　his　life。　She　didn't　look　as　if　she　had　slept　well；　though。　None　of　us　had。　It　had　been　almost　twenty…four　hours　since　we　got　the　word　that　Ramses　had　been　captured　and　we　had　spent　most　of　that　time　discussing　what　we　should　do　about　it。　Emerson　does　not　bear　waiting　well。　By　late　afternoon　he　had　walked　a　good　ten　miles；　pacing　back　and　forth　across　the　tiled　floor　of　the　saloon。
　〃We　cannot　act　yet；〃　I　insisted；　for　the　tenth　time。　〃Give　him　a　little　more　time。　He's　got　himself　out　of　worse　situations；　and　at　least　we　know　he　was　alive　when　he　was　last　seen。　Emerson；　for　pity's　sake；　stop　pacing。　What　you　need　is　a　nice　hot　cup　of　tea。　Help　me；　Nefret。〃
　Emerson　said　he　did　not　need　the　confounded　tea；　but　I　needed　something　to　do　and　so；　in　my　considered　opinion；　did　Nefret。　The　confidence　she　had　expressed　to　us　had　not　rendered　her　indifferent　to　the　fate　of　one　dearer　to　her　than　life　itself；　her　breath　came　quick　and　fast；　and　her　hands　shook　so　badly　I　had　to　prepare　the　tea　myself。
　Suddenly　she　sprang　up。　It　was　anticipation；　not　fear；　that　had　made　her　tremble　…　the　unbearable；　final　moments　of　waiting　for　an　event　greatly　desired。　As　she　turned　toward　the　door；　it　opened；　and　there　he　stood。　There　was　no　mistaking　him；　though　he　was　wearing　a　British　uniform；　and　the　brim　of　his　pith　helmet　shadowed　his　face。
　I　had　not　really　been　worried。　Nefret's　instincts　had　never　been　wrong。　All　the　same；　I　felt　as　if　a　set　of　stiff　rods　had　been　removed　from　my　back　and　limbs。
　〃Ah；〃　said　Emerson；　trying　to　appear　unconcerned。　〃I　had　begun　to　believe　I　might　have　to　go　looking　for　you。〃
　〃I　had　begun　to　think　so　too。〃　Ramses　removed　his　hat　and　unbuckled　the　belt　with　its　attached　holster。　〃You'll　never　believe　。　。　。　Nefret！〃
　Her　face　had　gone　dead…white。　Ramses　sprang　to　catch　her　as　she　crumpled。　He　held　her　to　him　in　a　close　embrace；　with　her　head　resting　on　his　shoulder。　〃Nefret　…　sweetheart　…　darling；　say　something！〃
　〃There　is　no　need　for　such　a　fuss；〃　I　assured　him。　〃It's　only　a　swoon。　Put　her　down。〃
　〃She's　never　swooned　in　her　life！〃　Ignoring　my　sensible　suggestion；　he　dropped　onto　the　divan；　holding　her　tightly。　Uttering　incoherent　ejaculations；　Emerson　snatched　one　of　her　limp　hands　and　began　slapping　it。　I　selected　a　clean　cup；　poured　tea；　and　added　several　heaping　spoonfuls　of　sugar。
　A　moment　or　two　later　Nefret　stirred。　〃What　happened？〃　she　asked　weakly。
　〃You　swooned；〃　Emerson　said　in　a　hoarse　voice。
　〃I've　never　swooned　in　my　life！〃　Her　color　was　back　to　normal　and　indignation　brightened　her　blue　eyes。　〃Put　me　down。〃
　〃It　was　my　fault；〃　Ramses　said　wretchedly。　〃I　shouldn't　have　burst　in　like　that。　I　suppose　you　thought　。　。　。　Are　you　sure　you're　all　right？〃
　She　smiled　up　into　his　anxious　face。　〃I　can　think　of　something　that　would　plete　the　cure。〃
　I　have　no　objection　to　public　displays　of　affection　between　married　persons　or　those　about　to　be　wed；　but　I　did　not　want　Ramses　distracted。　I　said　firmly；　〃A　nice　hot　cup　of　tea；〃　and　took　it　to　her。
　Nefret　pushed　it　away。　〃Give　it　to　Ramses。　He　looks　as　if　he　needs　it　more　than　I　do。〃
　〃I'm　all　right。　Just　a　little　tired。　I　haven't　had　much　sleep　in　the　past　forty…eight　hours。〃
　〃Did　you　e　in　through　the　secret　door？〃　Emerson　asked。
　Ramses　shook　his　head。　He　had　acquired　a　few　more　scrapes　and　bruises；　including　a　sizable　lump　on　his　temple。　〃There's　no　need　for　secrecy　now。　The　job　is　blown；　Father。　A　plete　disaster　from　start　to　finish。〃
　Nefret　studied　him　critically。　〃It　would　be　nice　if　just　once　you　could　e　back　from　one　of　your　expeditions　unbruised　and　unbloodied。〃
　〃It　wasn't　my　fault；〃　Ramses　said　defensively。
　〃According　to　Chetwode；　you　heroically　took　on　ten　men　so　that　he　could　get　away；〃　Emerson　said。
　〃So　he's　been　here。　It　was　only　six；〃　Ramses　added。
　〃Hmph；〃　said　Emerson。　〃Yes；　he's　been　here；　and　our　cover　is　also　blown。　He　insisted　on　delivering　his　message　in　person；　and　if　he　didn't　know　my　identity　when　he　came；　he　does　now。　I　…　er　…　I　forgot　myself　when　he　broke　the　news　that　you　had　been　captured　and　were　in　'the　merciless　grip　of　the　most　dangerous　man　in　the　Ottoman　Empire；'　as　he　put　it。　The　fellow　has　something　of　a　melodramatic　streak。〃
　〃Hmmm；〃　said　Ramses。　〃So　he　lingered　long　enough　to　see　that；　did　he？〃
　〃He　claimed　he　had　hoped　to　e　to　your　assistance；　but　the　odds　were　too　great；　and　he　was　obliged　to　follow　your　orders。　It　was　at　this　point　that　your　mother　and　Nefret　came　rushing　in　…〃
　〃We　were　in　one　of　the　secret　passages；〃　I　explained。　〃Very　useful　devices。　The　news　that　a　British　officer　had　e　here　with　a　message　naturally　aroused　our　interest；　so　we　…〃
　〃Also　forgot　yourselves；〃　said　Emerson。
　〃My　dear；　the　damage　was　already　done。　Lieutenant　Chetwode　did　not　seem　at　all　surprised　when　we　popped　out　of　that　cupboard。〃
　〃He's　going　to　put　you　in　for　a　DSO；〃　Nefret　said。
　〃How　nice；〃　said　Ramses；　with　sardonic　amusement。　〃So　you　sat　here　drinking　tea　while；　for　all　you　knew；　I　was　undergoing　hideous　tortures？〃
　〃We　were　discussing　what　steps　to　take　in　order　to　rescue　you；〃　I　explained。　〃And　how　to　go　about　them　in　the　most　efficient　manner。〃
　〃I　know；　Mother。　I　was　joking。〃
　〃I　would　be　the　last　to　deny　that　a　touch　of　humor　is　seldom　amiss；〃　I　said。　〃However　。　。　。　Lieutenant　Chetwode　told　us　what　transpired　up　till　the　time　he　ran　away。　So　you　need　not　repeat　that　part。〃
　〃Did　he　happen　to　mention　that　we　would　have　made　it　out　without　running　or　any　other　inconvenience　if　he　hadn't　tried　to　shoot　Ismail　Pasha？〃
　Nefret　gasped　and　Emerson　swore；　and　I　said　evenly；　〃I　take　it　he　did　not　succeed？〃
　〃No。　He　hadn't　a　chance　of　killing　him。　The　governor's　considerable　bulk　was　in　the　way　and　there　was　a　good　deal　of　motion。　It　was　my　fault；　really；〃　Ramses　went　on　wearily。　〃I　suspected　he　was　armed　and　took　one　pistol　away　from　him　before　we　left。　I　should　have　had　the　sense　to　realize　Cartright　would　anticipate　that　and　provide　him　with　a　second　weapon。　I　didn't　search　him。　I　ought　to　have　done。〃
　〃Stop　berating　yourself　and　tell　us　what　happened；〃　I　said。　〃From　the　beginning；　please；　and　in　proper　order。〃
　His　narrative　agreed　for　the　most　part　with　the　one　Chetwode　had　given　us；　up　to　the　point　where　Chetwode　had　fired　at　the　suspect。　He　had　then　fled　…　obeying　Ramses's　order；　as　he　had　claimed。
　〃I　did　tell　him　to　run；〃　Ramses　admitted。　〃The　damage　was　done；　and　in　the　confusion　no　one　could　tell　which　of　us　had　fired。　The　governor's　guards　went　after　me　and　matters　went　as　one　might　have　expected。　I　got　on　reasonably　well　until　someone　threw　a　stone。　They　were　about　to　escort　me　to　the　governor　when　who　should　appear　but　。　。　。　This　is　the　part　you'll　find　hard　to　believe。〃
　In　his　youth　Ramses　had　been　appallingly　verbose　and　given　to　an　excessive　use　of　adverbs；　adjectives；　and　other　descriptive　flourishes。　I　had　found　this　extremely　exasperating；　but　the　sparse；　uninformative　narrative　style　that　was　now　his　habit　sometimes　vexed　me　even　more。　Admittedly；　the　events　themselves　were　enough　to　hold　us　spellbound；　no　one　uttered　a　word　until　he　had　finished。
　〃So；〃　I　said。　〃He　attempted　at　first　to　win　you　over　with　kind　treatment　and　flattering　w