elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第56章

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　We　had　played　this　little　game　often；　and　I　will　admit；　in　the　pages　of　my　private　journal；　that　I　had　maneuvered　Emerson　into　mitting　himself　first　on　certain　occasions　when　I　was　not　entirely　certain　of　my　conclusions。　On　this　occasion　I　did　not　hesitate。
　〃Why；　my　dear；　I　think　we　are　past　that　childish　sort　of　petition。　I　will　be　happy　to　tell　you。　He　disguised　himself　as　Sahin　Pasha。〃
　Emerson　let　out　a　whoop　of　laughter。　He　sobered　almost　at　once；　however；　and　began　stroking　his　beard。　〃Really；　Peabody；　that　is　deuced　ingenious。　But　。　。　。　No；　it　is　impossible。　What　led　you　to　that　remarkable　deduction？〃
　〃Your　turn　next；〃　I　said　playfully。　〃Whom　did　you　suspect？〃
　〃I　need　my　pipe；〃　Emerson　muttered。　〃What　did　you　do　with　it？〃
　I　hadn't　done　anything　with　it。　Muttering　to　himself；　Emerson　rummaged　through　his　voluminous　garments　until　he　located　the　thing　and　his　tobacco　pouch。　I　helped　him　to　light　the　pipe；　keeping　a　wary　eye　out　for　sparks　in　his　beard。
　〃Well；〃　said　Emerson；　settling　back　onto　the　divan　and　puffing　away　with　enjoyment。　〃Where　were　we？〃
　〃You　were　about　to　tell　me　whom　you　suspected　of　being　Sethos。〃
　The　fort　of　his　beloved　pipe　had　given　Emerson　new　courage。　〃The　servant；〃　he　said　decidedly。
　〃The　fellow　who　brought　the　tea？　It　was　drugged；　Emerson。〃
　〃Well；　of　course。　It　would　have　been　a　dead　giveaway　for　him　to　ignore　his　master's　orders。　People　don't　look　at　servants；〃　Emerson　went　on。　〃And　Sahin　had　borrowed　the　house　and；　one　must　suppose；　the　staff　from　someone　else。〃
　〃It　isn't　like　Sethos　to　choose　such　an　inconspicuous　role。〃
　〃No；　he　much　prefers　to　make　a　spectacle　of　himself。　It　would　be　a　coup　much　to　his　taste　to　take　over　the　role　of　someone　as　well　known　as　Sahin。〃
　He　looked　so　chagrined　that　I　felt　obliged　to　offer　his　vanity　a　little　encouragement。　Husbands　appreciate　these　gestures。
　〃There　are　some　things　I　don't　understand；　though；〃　I　said。　〃How　could　Sethos　deceive　Sahin's　men　and　his　household　and　even　his　daughter？〃
　〃Oh；　that；〃　said　Emerson；　with　a　dismissive　wave　of　his　hand。　〃Sethos　has　fooled　more　observant　individuals　than　a　handful　of　dull…witted　guards。　The　girl　may　have　seen　very　little　of　her　father；　I　don't　suppose　Sahin　was　the　sort　of　papa　who　plays　games　with　his　children。〃
　〃Well；　perhaps　I　am　wrong；〃　I　said　handsomely。　〃Without　knowing　more　about　the　household　than　we　do；　it　is　impossible　to　know　for　certain　how　he　managed　it。〃
　〃I　don't　know　how　he　managed　it；〃　Emerson　admitted。　〃Or　what　is　behind　all　this　maneuvering。　But　I　have　a　feeling　…　yes；　my　dear；　call　it　a　premonition　if　you　like　…　I　have　a　feeling　we　will　hear　from　my　eccentric　…　er　…　acquaintance　before　too　long。　And　since　it　appears　that　far　too　many　people　know　our　identities　already；　we　may　as　well　leave　off　pretending　to　be　respectable　Moslems。　What　do　you　say　I　borrow　a　bottle　of　whiskey　from　one　of　our　chaps？〃
　〃I　have　considered　the　advantages　and　disadvantages　of　abandoning　our　masquerade；　and　in　my　opinion　the　advantages　outweigh　the　disadvantages。　The　people　we　were　trying　to　keep　in　the　dark　already　know　the　truth；　and　the　presence　of　the　famous　Father　of　Curses　can　only　inspire　respect　from　others。　However；　there　is　no　need　for　you　to　borrow　anything。〃　I　reached　behind　the　cushions　and　drew　out　the　parcel　I　had　kept　in　my　personal　charge　during　that　long；　wearisome　journey。　It　was　a　large　and　rather　lumpy　parcel；　as　I　knew　to　my　sorrow；　since　I　had　sat　on　it　most　of　the　way。
　〃Good　Gad！〃　said　Emerson；　as　I　extracted　the　bottle；　which　I　had　wrapped　in　certain　articles　of　clothing。
　〃We　will　have　to　use　plain　water　or　drink　it　neat；　like　Cyrus。　The　gasogene　was　too　large；　and　fragile　besides。〃
　Emerson's　smile　faded。　〃What　else　have　you　got　in　there？〃　he　asked　suspiciously。
　〃Trousers；　shirts；　and　boots　for　me　and　Nefret　…　you　saw　them　the　other　day　…　my　knife；　and　hers　…　my　belt　of　tools　…　and　…〃
　〃No！〃　Emerson　exclaimed；　his　eyes　bulging。
　〃You　cannot　suppose　I　would　venture　into　danger　without　it。〃　I　had　spread　the　articles　out　on　the　divan。　I　added　my　parasol。
　Emerson's　lips　writhed；　but　the　light　of　forlorn　hope　lingered　in　his　eyes。　〃Please。　Tell　me　it　isn't　。　。　。〃
　I　took　hold　of　the　handle　and　gave　it　a　twist　and　a　pull。　〃My　sword　parasol；　yes。　The　one　you　were　kind　enough　to　give　me。〃
　Emerson　reached　for　the　bottle。
　　
　We　did　not　see　the　children　again　that　evening。　When　they　joined　us　for　breakfast；　I　was　pleased　to　observe　that　Ramses　looked　more　rested。　He　was　wearing　the　uniform　shirt　and　trousers；　but　with　the　shirt　open　and　his　feet　bare；　the　hated　military　look　was　diminished。　He　was　in　full　agreement　with　my　decision　that　we　might　as　well　abandon　our　disguises。
　〃I　didn't　suppose　Mother　would　stand　being　confined　to　the　harem　for　long；〃　he　remarked；　selecting　a　piece　of　fruit　from　the　tray。
　〃It　is　too　inconvenient；〃　I　explained。　〃We　were　running　out　of　excuses　for　admitting　strange　men　to　our　quarters。　I　haven't　spoken　with　Selim　for　days；　and　in　my　opinion　a　council　of　war　is　imperative。　We　must　plan　our　next　move。〃
　〃Next　move？〃　Ramses's　eyebrows　tilted　up　at　the　corners。　〃Surely　that's　obvious。　There's　no　point　in　your　staying　on　here。〃
　The　pronoun　did　not　escape　me；　but　I　said　only；　〃That　is　one　of　the　things　we　must　discuss。　Let　us　ask　Selim　to　join　us。　Perhaps　he　can　find　you　something　else　to　wear；　Ramses。　I　brought　a　change　of　clothing　for　us；　but　not　for　you。〃
　〃Oh；　I　don't　know；〃　Nefret　drawled。　〃I　like　those　short　trousers。　You　ought　to　wear　them　all　the　time。　Father；　too。〃
　Emerson　does　have　well…shaped　lower　limbs；　but　he　is　rather　shy　about　it。　He　coughed　and　looked　away。　Ramses；　less　self…conscious　than　his　father；　laughed　and　said；　〃I　ought　to　return　them　to　their　owner；　along　with　the　rest　of　his　things。　Never　mind　that　now；　let's　have　Selim　up。〃
　Selim　was　delighted　to　accept　the　invitation。　Settling　himself　fortably　on　a　cushion；　he　looked　round　with　an　air　of　approval。　〃This　is　good。　We　have　not　been　able　to　talk。　Now　tell　me　everything。　What　happened　in　Gaza；　Ramses？〃
　He　had　known　of　Ramses's　safe　return　…　had；　in　fact；　been　the　first　to　know；　for　he　had　recognized　him　at　once。　Ramses　had　not　lingered　to　chat；　being　anxious　to　reassure　us；　so　he　had　to　go　over　the　whole　business　again　for　Selim。
　〃Ah；〃　said　that　young　man　interestedly。　〃Is　she　beautiful？〃
　Everyone　laughed；　and　Ramses　repeated　what　Sahin　had　said　about　multiple　wives。
　〃I　have　not　found　it　so；〃　said　Selim；　looking　a　trifle　smug。　〃She　is　a　brave　girl；　to　take　the　risk　of　freeing　you。　I　hope　she　does　not　suffer　for　it。〃
　〃So　do　I；〃　Ramses　said　briefly。
　I　knew　then　what　I　had　only　suspected　before。　He　meant　to　go　back　to　Gaza。　His　mission　had　not　been　acplished；　and　the　fate　of　that　girl　would　haunt　him　until　he　made　sure　she　was　safe。
　Selim　was　unable　to　add　anything　to　our　own　deductions；　such　as　they　were；　but　he　was　of　the　opinion　that　Ismail　Pasha　must　be　Sethos。　〃So　what　shall　we　do　now？〃　he　inquired。
　〃We　will　wait　a　day　or　two　for　the　news　of　our　presence　to　spread；〃　replied　Emerson。　〃If　Sethos　has　not　municated　with　us　by　then；　we'll　go　in　after　him。〃
　〃Father！〃　Ramses　exclaimed。
　〃Now；　my　boy；　don't　waste　your　breath。　You　mean　to　go；　don't　deny　it。　If　my　…　er　…　if　he　is　being　held　against　his　will；　he　must　be　freed。　If　he　has　turned　traitor　…　which；〃　Emerson　said　grimly；　〃is　seeming　more　and　more　likely　…　he　must　be　taken　prisoner　by　us。〃
　〃Why　do　you　consider　it　more　likely？〃　I　demanded　hotly。　〃You　said　before　…〃
　〃He　couldn't　have　managed　Ramses's　escape　if　he　were　a　closely　guarded　prisoner；〃　Emerson　replied；　with　equal　heat。　〃Don't　try　to　defend　him；　Peabody；　or　I　will　begin　to　wonder　whether　you　have　got　over　your　…〃
　〃Please；　Emerson！〃
　〃Father　has　the　right　idea。〃　Nefret's　quiet　voice　reminded　both　of　us　that　we　were　in　danger　of　getting　off　the　subject。　〃Traitor　or　captive；　we　must　get　him　out　of　Gaza。〃
　Ramses　turned　appalled　eyes　on　her。　〃What　do　you　mean；　we？　I　admit　I　didn't　succeed；　but　that　was　because　Chetwode　mucked　things　up。　One　person　has　a　better　chance　than　three　。　。　。　four　。　。　。　five　。　。　。　Good　God；　Father；　you　can't　…〃
　〃I　believe　I　can；〃　said　Emerson。　〃More　safely　than　you；　Ramses。　Do　you　suppose　Sahin　won't　have　everyone　in　Gaza　looking　for　a　man　of　your　description？〃
　〃But　how　…〃
　Emerson　held　up　one　hand；　demanding　silence；　and　reached　with　the　other　into　his　pocket。　〃I　have　another　set　of　papers；〃　he　announced　proudly。
　They　were　a　good　deal　more　impressive　than　the　first　set　…　spattered　with　blobs　of　crimson　sealing　wax；　framed　in　ornate　curlicues；　and　with　quite　a　lot　of　gilt。　The　script　was　equally　ornamental；　it　looked　like　Arabic；　but　I　could　make　nothing　of　it。　I　handed　the　papers　to　Ramses。
　〃Turkish；〃　he　muttered。　〃Father；　do　you　have　any　idea　what　this　says？〃
　〃No；〃　said　Emerson　placidly。　〃Is　there　more　coffee？〃
　〃But　…　but　…〃　Ramses　ran　one　hand　through　his　tumbled　curls　and　brandished　the　papers　in　front　of　Emerson's　nose。　〃Were　you　planning　to　use　these　to　get　into　Gaza？　For　all　you　knew；　it　might　be　a　denunciation　of　you；　or　…　or　somebody's　laundry　list！〃
　〃Is　it？〃　Emerson　inquired。
　Nefret　served　him　and　Ramses　with　fresh　cups　of　the　Turkish　coffee　she　brewed　so　expertly；　and　Ramses　inspected　the　papers　again。
　〃No；〃　he　admitted。　〃They　appear　to　be　in　order　…　so　far　as　I　can　tell。　I've　never　been　privileged　to　see　a　direct　order　from　the　Sublime　Porte；　signed　by　the　sultan　himself。〃
　〃Few　have；〃　said　Emerson；　and　sipped　his　coffee。　〃Ah　…　excellent。　Thank　you；　Nefret。　I　didn't　suppose　el…Gharbi　would　play　me　false；　but　the　very　look　of　those　documents　is　enough　to　overawe　most　people；　especially　since　literacy　is　…〃
　〃El…Gharbi；〃　Ramses　broke　in。　〃I　might　have　known。　What　did　you　promise　him　in　return？〃
　〃My　goodwill；〃　said　Emerson；　with　an　evil　smile。
　Ramses　was　not　quite　himself；　and　the　effect　of　the　stunning　surprises　his　father　had　administered　showed　on　his　face；　together　with　evidence　of　another；　equally　strong　emotion。　〃So；〃　he　said；　trying　without　plete　success　to　control　his　voice；　〃if　I　had　not　e　back　you　would　have　marched　up　to　the　Turkish　lines　with　a　set　of　papers　you　couldn't　read　and　a　broken　arm　and　…〃
　〃And　your　mother；〃　said　Emerson。
　He　was；　I　believe；　attempting　to　lighten　the　emotional　atmosphere　with　a　touch　of　humor。　His　ment　did　not　have　that　effect。　Ramses　went　pale；　and　I　said　firmly；　〃Quite　right。　All　for　one　and　one　for　all　…　that　is　our　motto；　is　it　not？　You　would　have　taken　equal　or　greater　risks　for　any　of　us；　Ramses。　Now　that　that　is　settled；　let　us　get　back　to　business。　Are　those　papers　adequate　for　the　purpose　your　father　had　in　mind？〃
　〃Is　my　name　on　them？〃　Selim　demanded。
　〃No　one　else's　name　is　on　them；〃　Emerson　replied。　〃If　an　honorable　sheikh；　a　friend　of　the　sultan's；　decides　to　take　his　servants　…〃
　〃And　wives；〃　I　said。
　〃Bah；〃　said　Emerson。　〃He　can　take　anyone　he　likes；　I　suppose。　Do　be　quiet；　all　of　you。　I　haven't　decided　yet　how　to　go　about　this。　It　might　be　better　to　make　my　way　through　the　lines　under　cover　of　darkness。〃
　〃With　one　arm　in　a　cast；〃　said　Ramses　under　his　breath。
　Emerson　inspected　the　cast　irritably。　〃I　don't　see　why　I　need　it。　My　arm　itches