elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第61章

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　〃As　a　matter　of　fact；　he　has；〃　I　replied。
　〃I　don't　know　why　I　bothered　to　ask；〃　Sir　Edward　muttered。　〃There's　a　picket　line　a　mile　south　of　here。　Ramses　and　Selim　…　no；　Professor；　not　you。　Someone　must　stay　with　the　ladies。〃
　〃This　lady　is　going　with　you；〃　Nefret　said。
　　
　FROM　MANUSCRIPT　H
　　
　There　was　only　one　sentry。　The　enemy　wasn't　in　the　habit　of　sending　out　raiding　parties；　and　local　horse　thieves　had　learned　not　to　tangle　with　the　men　of　the　Desert　Column。　Trees　and　growing　crops　gave　plenty　of　cover；　and　the　moon　was　down。　They　crawled　close　enough　to　hear　the　snores　of　the　men　who　lay　rolled　in　their　blankets　beyond　the　line　of　horses。　Sir　Edward　brought　his　mouth　against　Ramses's　ear。
　〃I'm　beginning　to　think　this　was　a　bad　idea。〃
　Ramses　had　been　of　that　opinion　from　the　start。　Some　of　the　straitlaced　British　officers　considered　the　ANZACs　an　unruly　lot；　impatient　of　discipline；　who　didn't　even　know　how　to　ride　properly。　Personally　he　would　have　preferred　to　have　a　whole　troop　of　fox…hunting　Englishmen　after　him　than　a　few　of　these　hard…bitten　colonials。
　Bad　idea　or　not；　it　had　to　be　done。　The　girl　couldn't　manage　a　ten…mile　hike；　and　he　was　concerned　about　his　mother；　who　would　drop　in　her　tracks　rather　than　admit　the　task　was　beyond　her。　Anyhow；　they　had　to　get　under　cover　before　morning。　It　would　take　too　long　for　the　slower　members　of　the　party　to　walk　that　distance。
　They　had　planned　what　they　had　to　do；　and　he　thought　they　could　manage　it；　with　a　little　luck　…　and　Nefret's　help。　He　had　had　to　overrule　Sir　Edward；　and　his　own　instincts；　when　she　announced　she　was　ing　with　them；　mon　sense　told　him　that　her　help　would　be　invaluable。　She　was　an　excellent　rider；　and　she　had　an　uncanny　knack　with　animals。
　Dealing　with　the　sentry　was　his　job。　It　wasn't　difficult；　the　poor　devil　was　tired　and　not　expecting　trouble。　Ramses　took　him　from　behind　with　an　arm　across　his　throat；　hit　him　hard　in　the　pit　of　the　stomach；　and　chopped　him　across　the　back　of　the　neck　as　he　toppled　forward。　By　the　time　he　had　dragged　the　limp　body　under　a　tree；　Nefret　was　moving　down　the　string　of　horses；　whispering　in　their　ears　and　stroking　their　necks。　When　she　reached　the　last　in　line；　she　untied　the　rope　that　passed　through　their　bridles。
　So　far　there　had　been　no　sound　except　a　few　soft；　interested　whickers　from　the　intrigued　equines。　Now　they　had　to　move　fast　and　noisily。　Nefret　scrambled　onto　one　of　the　horses　while　Selim　gave　Sir　Edward　a　hand　up　and　mounted　another。　Except　for　Nefret's　mount；　the　animals　were　stirring　uneasily。　One　of　the　sleeping　men　sat　up。　Ramses　tossed　the　dangling　reins　over　the　lead　horse's　neck　and　vaulted　onto　its　back。　It　turned　its　head　to　give　him　an　astonished　stare。
　〃Wrong　man；　I　know；〃　Ramses　said　in　a　conversational　voice。　〃Think　of　it　as　a　temporary　inconvenience。〃
　There　wasn't　time　to　adjust　the　stirrups。　He　dug　his　bare　heels　into　the　animal's　flanks　and　urged　it　into　a　trot。　It　responded　to　the　touch　or　the　English　voice；　or　both。　The　entire　camp　was　now　awake；　shouts　and　curses　echoed　through　the　night；　and　someone　fired　a　rifle。　Someone　else　let　out　a　stream　of　oaths　directed　at　the　idiot　who　had　fired　it。　By　that　time　the　entire　group　of　horses　was　in　motion；　following　their　leader　and　urged　on　by　Nefret；　who　brought　up　the　rear　yelling　and　smacking　assorted　equine　rumps　with　a　leafy　branch。　Her　hair　had　e　loose　from　its　scarf；　it　streamed　out　behind　her；　silvered　by　starlight。　Sir　Edward　was　hanging　on；　though　he　didn't　look　happy。　Selim　looked　very　happy。　This　was　the　sort　of　adventure　he　had　had　in　mind　all　along；　a　wild　ride　with　the　enemy　in　hot　pursuit。
　The　pursuit　consisted　of　one　trooper；　running　as　fast　as　his　long　legs　would　carry　him；　waving　his　arms　and　calling　out。　The　horses　broke　into　a　gallop　and　the　plaintive　cries　of　〃Mary！　Mary；　love；　e　back！〃　faded　into　the　night。
　A　real　and　vindictive　pursuit　would　not　be　long　delayed；　however。　They　did　not　slacken　speed　until　they　were　near　the　ruins　where　the　others　were　ready　and　waiting。　None　of　them　wasted　time　in　conversation；　though　Ramses　saw　the　look　of　resignation　on　his　mother's　face。　She　was　not　an　enthusiastic　horsewoman；　and　was　accustomed　to　the　smooth　gait　of　their　Arabians。
　〃Sorry；　Mother；〃　he　said；　offering　his　hands　to　help　her　mount。　〃Will　you　be　all　right？〃
　〃Certainly。〃　It　was　the　answer　he　had　expected。
　Esin　couldn't　manage　it；　though。　She　had　ridden　only　in　England；　with　a　proper　lady's　saddle。　Declining　Selim's　eager　offer　of　assistance；　Nefret　mounted　the　girl　in　front　of　her。
　〃We're　leaving　a　trail　a　blind　man　could　follow；〃　Sir　Edward　said；　as　they　started　off　two　by　two。　〃And　now　we've　got　the　Australians　after　us。〃
　〃This　was　your　idea；〃　Ramses　pointed　out。
　〃So　it　was。　I　hope　I'll　live　long　enough　to　regret　it。〃
　The　clipped　accent　sounded　odd　from　that　vagabond　figure。　There　hadn't　been　time　for　Ramses　to　assimilate　Sir　Edward's　sudden　reappearance；　and　there　were　a　hundred　questions　he　wanted　to　ask。
　〃What　are　you　doing　here？　I　was　under　the　impression　that　you　had　given　up　a　life　of　crime。〃
　〃I　can't　imagine　what　gave　you　that　impression〃　was　Sir　Edward's　bland　reply。　〃But　my　present　job　isn't　criminal　in　nature。　People　give　other　people　medals　for　doing　it。〃
　〃Usually　after　the　'other　people'　are　dead。〃
　Sir　Edward　let　that　one　pass。　Ramses　tried　another　tack。
　〃Why　is　Sethos　in　Gaza？　He's　no　traitor；　I'm　certain　of　that　now；　but　what　the　hell　is　he　after？〃
　〃You'll　have　to　ask　him　that。〃
　　
　
　　
　They　reached　their　destination　just　before　dawn。　Ramses　had　expected　a　tumbledown　ruin　or　a　mean　little　house；　instead　he　saw　high　walls　rising　up　against　the　paling　sky　like　those　of　a　castle　or　a　fortress。　The　heavy　gates　were　closed。　Sir　Edward　called　out　and　after　an　interval　one　of　the　leaves　of　the　gate　opened　and　a　man　peered　out。　He　let　out　an　exclamation　when　he　saw　the　group。
　〃They　are　friends；〃　Sir　Edward　said。　〃Friends　of　the　Master。〃
　He　led　the　way　into　an　open　courtyard　with　a　well　in　the　center　and　a　roofed　arcade　on　the　right　side。　It　was　a　fortress；　and　a　strong　one。　The　walls　were　twelve　feet　high　and　eight　feet　thick。　A　small　two…storied　structure　within　the　enclosure　must　be　the　living　quarters。
　〃Go　ahead　into　the　house；〃　their　host　said；　indicating　this　building。　〃Straight　through　and　up　the　stairs　to　the　saloon。　I'm　afraid　you'll　find　us　ill…prepared　for　guests；　but　Mustafa　and　I　will　see　what　can　be　done　in　the　way　of　food　and　drink。〃
　He　drew　the　other　man　aside。　Leaving　his　father　to　assist　his　mother；　and　Selim　the　girl；　Ramses　edged　toward　the　pair。　He　caught　only　two　words：　〃No　message？〃　and　saw　Mustafa　shake　his　head。
　Mustafa　looked　like　the　sort　of　man　who　would　be　employed　by　Sethos　…　burly；　black…bearded　as　a　pirate；　and　wary。　He　shot　a　suspicious　look　at　Ramses；　and　Sir　Edward　turned。
　〃This　is　the　notorious　…　er　…　famous　Brother　of　Demons；　Mustafa；〃　he　said　in　Arabic。　〃You　have　heard　of　him。〃
　〃Ah！〃　Mustafa　held　out　a　hand。　〃We　will　shake　hands　as　the　English　do；　eh？　It　is　an　honor　to　meet　you。　And　so　the　others　are　。　。　。　？〃
　〃The　even　more　notorious　Father　of　Curses　and　his　family；〃　Ramses　said。　〃If　you　will　forgive　me　for　failing　in　courtesy；　may　I　suggest　that　there　are　important　matters　to　be　dealt　with　before　we　exchange　additional　pliments？　The　horses；　for　instance。　Their　owners　will　want　them　back。〃
　Mustafa　threw　his　head　back　and　let　out　a　bellow　of　laughter。　〃You　stole　them？　Well　done。　They　will　fetch　a　good　price。〃
　〃Control　your　mercantile　instincts；　Mustafa；〃　said　Sir　Edward。　〃They　must　be　returned　eventually。　We　…　er　…　borrowed　them　from　the　Australians。〃
　〃Hmmm。〃　Mustafa　stroked　his　beard。　〃A　pity。　But　you　are　right；　the　Australians　are　fierce　fighters　and　they　love　their　horses。〃
　Ramses　stroked　the　friendly　muzzle　that　had　e　to　rest　on　his　shoulder。　〃Take　care　of　them；　will　you；　Mustafa？　Rub　them　down　and　water　them。〃
　〃If　you　have　handled　that　to　your　satisfaction；〃　said　Sir　Edward；　〃shall　we　go　in？　Your　mother　will　be　waiting　in　the　saloon　for　us。〃
　〃No；　she　won't；〃　Ramses　said。
　
　The　saloon　was　an　elegantly　appointed　apartment　at　the　front　of　the　house。　I　recognized　Sethos's　refined　tastes　in　the　furnishings　…　cushioned　divans；　carved　screens；　and　low　tables　of　brass　and　copper　…　but　it　was　clear　at　a　glance　that　this　was　a　bachelor　establishment。　There　was　a　bird's　nest　in　one　of　the　window　embrasures；　and　dust　covered　every　flat　surface。
　〃Dear　me；〃　I　said。　〃This　won't　do。　Let　us　see　what　the　rest　of　the　house　is　like。〃
　〃He　told　us　to　wait　here；〃　Nefret　said。　She　was　supporting　Esin；　who　looked　as　if　she　was　at　the　limit　of　her　strength。
　〃I　have　no　intention　of　waiting　for　a　man　to　make　the　necessary　arrangements；〃　I　replied。　〃That　girl　should　be　in　bed。　Let　us　find　one。〃
　Two　of　the　small　rooms　behind　the　saloon　had　obviously　been　used　as　sleeping　chambers。　Various　articles　of　masculine　attire　hung　over　chairs　and　chests。　The　beds　were　brass；　in　the　European　style；　rather　at　odds　with　the　rest　of　the　furnishings；　but　with　fortable　mattresses　and　sheets　and　pillows。　Selim　and　I　straightened　the　crumpled　bedding　and　put　Esin　on　the　bed。　I　did　not　bother　removing　her　clothing；　since　it　did　not　appear　that　the　sheets　had　been　changed　for　several　weeks。
　Sir　Edward　and　Ramses　were　in　the　saloon　when　we　returned　to　that　room。
　〃Did　you　find　what　you　were　looking　for？〃　the　former　inquired　politely。
　〃I　found　a　bed　…　yours；　I　believe　…　and　got　Miss　Sahin　tucked　in。　The　poor　child　was　worn　out。　Now；　where　is　the　kitchen？　A　nice　hot　cup　of　tea　would　be　just　the　thing。〃
　〃Mustafa　is　making　tea；〃　Sir　Edward　said。
　〃Does　he　know　about　boiling　the　water　long　enough？　Perhaps　I　had　better　go　and　…〃
　Sir　Edward　took　the　liberty　of　seizing　me　by　the　arm。　〃He　knows。　He　knows！　Mrs。　Emerson；　please　sit　down。　I　can't　until　you　do；　and　I　am　dead　on　my　feet。〃
　〃Oh；　very　well。〃　I　selected　one　of　the　divans　that　did　not　have　evidence　of　avian　activity。　Sir　Edward　collapsed　onto　another　with　a　long　sigh　and　Ramses　took　his　place　next　to　Nefret。
　Emerson　was　still　prowling　about　the　room。　〃Ha！〃　he　exclaimed；　opening　a　cabinet。　〃My　…　er　…　old　acquaintance　does　himself　well。　Claret；　'pon　my　word；　and　an　excellent　vintage　too。　It　isn't　whiskey；　Peabody；　but　would　you　care　for　a　drop？〃
　〃Not　at　this　time　of　day；〃　I　replied。　〃Ah　…　here　is　Mustafa　with　the　tea　tray。　Just　put　it　here；　if　you　please。　I　will　pour。〃
　He　had　slopped　it　all　over　the　tray；　of　course。　As　he　stood　back；　fixing　me　with　a　bold；　curious　stare；　I　had　one　of　those　moments　of　utter　disorientation：　the　tea　tray；　set　out　in　proper　English　style　…　that　would　be　Sir　Edward's　influence　…　the　black…bearded　ruffian　who　had　served　it；　the　filthy；　ragged　beggar　who　was　Sir　Edward；　and　the　rest　of　us　in　a　motley　array　of　garments；　from　Nefret's　neat　but　crumpled　trousers　and　coat　to　Emerson's　torn　silken　robes。
　However；　the　situation　was　no　more　bizarre　than　many　in　which　we　had　found　ourselves。
　Mustafa　said　suddenly；　〃You　are　the　Sitt　Hakim？　I　have　a　little　sore；　here　on　my　…〃
　〃Later；　my　friend；〃　I　said　graciously。　Nefret　hid　her　face　against　Ramses's　shoulder　and　Emerson　shouted；　〃Good　Gad！　Even　here