elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第66章

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give　you　。　。　。　oh；　let　us　say　an　hour　。　。　。　to　get　away。〃
　They　measured　one　another；　two　men　of　manding　presence　and　stature。　The　Turk　said　slowly；　〃You　would　do　that？〃
　〃As　the　lesser　of　two　evils。　Your　usefulness　to　your　government　has　been　destroyed。　This　way　no　one　will　be　injured。　You　can　trust　us　to　look　after　the　child；　and　when　the　war　is　over　you　may　be　reunited　with　her。〃
　〃The　word　of　an　Englishman？〃　Sahin　Pasha　murmured。
　〃Don't　be　foolish；〃　Ramses　said　urgently。　〃There　are　two　…　four；　I　mean　…　of　us。　Hand　over　the　gun。〃
　Sahin　smiled　wryly。　〃Four？　Ah　well；　it　seems　I　have　no　choice。　You　were　correct。　The　gun　isn't　loaded。　I　had　to　fight　my　way　out　of　Gaza。〃
　〃Drop　it；　then；〃　Ramses　said。　He　took　a　step　forward　and　held　out　his　hand。　〃Or　give　it　to　me。〃
　His　eyes　were　fixed　on　the　pistol。　It　might　be　a　double　bluff；　we　could　not　be　certain；　with　a　man　so　crafty。　Sahin　held　it　out　…　and　then　the　knife　flashed　and　Ramses　stumbled　back　and　fell；　blood　spurting　from　his　side。　Nefret　flung　herself　down　beside　him。
　〃You　never　learn；　do　you？〃　Sahin　shook　his　head　regretfully。　〃You　really　ought　to　give　up　this　line　of　work；　my　boy。〃
　Emerson　had　not　stirred。　〃Nefret？〃　he　asked　softly。
　Her　quick　surgeon's　hands　had　slowed　the　flow　of　blood。　〃It's　。　。　。　not　too　bad；〃　she　said。
　〃But　now；　you　see；　there　are　only　three　of　you；〃　Sahin　said。　〃And　I　lied　when　I　said　the　gun　was　not　loaded。　Do　I　take　the　ladies　on　next？〃
　〃Yes；〃　I　said；　and　swung　my　parasol。　It　was　one　of　my　better　efforts；　if　I　do　say　so。　The　gun　flew　out　of　Sahin's　hand　and　fell　with　a　clatter　onto　the　tiled　floor。
　〃Ah；〃　Emerson　breathed。　〃Well　done；　Peabody。　Get　the　gun。〃
　〃Take　my　parasol；　then。〃　I　pulled　out　the　little　sword　and　forced　the　weapon　into　Emerson's　hand。　Sahin　Pasha　let　out　a　guffaw。　Emerson　swore；　but　he　got　the　blade　up　just　in　time　to　parry　a　wicked　cut　at　his　good　arm。
　〃I　lied　again；〃　said　the　Turk；　grinning。　〃The　gun　is　empty。〃
　〃We　will　see　about　that；〃　I　replied。　I　pointed　the　weapon　out　the　window　and　squeezed　the　trigger。　There　was　no　explosion；　only　a　click。　〃Curse　it；〃　I　remarked。
　〃This　is　so　entertaining　I　hate　to　end　it；〃　said　Sahin　Pasha。　〃Professor；　I　admire　you；　I　respect　you；　and　I　do　not　want　to　injure　you。　Anyhow；　my　reputation　would　never　be　the　same　if　I　overcame　a　man　armed　with　a　parasol　who　has　only　one　serviceable　arm。　I　accept　your　offer。　Put　down　the　。　。　。〃　A　gurgle　of　amusement　escaped　him。　〃The　umbrella。〃
　〃Oh；　e；　don't　insult　my　intelligence；〃　said　Emerson　in　exasperation。　〃You　have　no　intention　of　giving　yourself　up；　and　I　have　no　intention　of　allowing　you　to　take　my　son　prisoner　again。　I　cannot　imagine　how　you　could　acplish　it；　but　I　do　not　underestimate　you。　En　garde。〃
　Ramses　pulled　himself　to　a　sitting　position。　〃Be　careful；　Father。　He　doesn't　…〃
　〃Fight　like　a　gentleman？　Well；　well。　Neither　do　I。〃
　He　bent　his　knee　and　lunged。　A　cry　of　alarm　escaped　me。　It　was　almost　certainly　the　most　ineffective　move　he　could　have　made。　The　blade　of　the　sword　was　only　three　inches　longer　than　that　of　Sahin's　knife。　The　Turk　didn't　even　bother　to　parry　it。　One　quick　step　backward　took　him　out　of　range；　and　as　Emerson　straightened；　staggering　a　little；　the　Turk's　knife　drove　at　his　side。
　It　sank　with　a　crunch　into　the　plaster　encasing　Emerson's　raised　forearm　and　stuck；　just　long　enough。　Emerson　dropped　the　parasol　and　hit　the　other　man　in　the　stomach。　Rather　below　the　stomach；　to　be　accurate。
　〃Oh；　Emerson；〃　I　gasped。　〃Oh；　my　dear！　That　was　magnificent！〃
　〃Most　ungentlemanly；〃　said　my　husband；　contemplating　the　writhing；　wheezing　form　of　his　foe。　〃But　I　was　never　much　good　with　a　parasol。〃
　　
　The　capture　of　the　chief　of　the　Turkish　secret　service　ended　any　doubts　the　military　might　have　entertained　about　letting　us　leave。　General　Chetwode　himself　called　to　congratulate　us；　acpanied　by　several　of　his　staff。　We　had　quite　a　time　getting　rid　of　them。
　〃Medals　again；〃　Emerson　grumbled。　〃They　seem　to　think　we　intended　this　all　along。〃
　〃You　encouraged　them　to　think　so；〃　Ramses　said。　At　Nefret's　insistence　he　was　reclining　on　one　of　the　divans。　She　had　had　to　put　a　few　stitches　into　the　cut；　which　had　bled　copiously。　〃It　was　inspired　lying；　Father。〃
　〃At　least　we　got　a　bottle　of　whiskey　out　of　them；〃　Emerson　said　placently。　〃Much　more　useful　than　medals。　Here；　my　boy；　this　will　put　a　little　color　into　your　face。〃
　〃I　would　like　some　too；〃　said　Esin。
　〃Spirits　are　not　suitable　for　young　ladies；〃　I　said；　sipping　my　own　whiskey　appreciatively。　It　had　been　quite　a　busy　day；　what　with　one　thing　and　another；　and　I　was　not　in　a　good　humor　with　the　girl。　After　we　freed　her　she　carried　on　quite　extravagantly；　and　she　had　accepted　the　news　of　her　father's　capture　with　unbeing　equanimity。
　〃Aren't　you　at　all　concerned　about　your　father？〃　I　asked。
　〃What　will　happen　to　him？〃
　〃He　is　a　prisoner　of　war；〃　Emerson　said。　〃Do　you　want　to　see　him　before　we　leave？　I　can　probably　arrange　that。〃
　〃No。〃　She　shivered。　〃He　tried　to　take　me　away。　He　says　he　loves　me；　but　he　will　not　allow　me　to　do　what　I　want。　Is　that　love？〃
　〃Sometimes；〃　Nefret　said。
　The　silence　that　followed　was　broken　by　a　penetrating　shriek　from　outside　the　house。　I　could　not　make　out　all　the　words；　but　there　were　references　to　the　will　of　Allah　and　the　blessings　of　various　prophets；　up　to　and　including　the　greatest；　that　is；　Mohammed。　When　Sir　Edward　had　arrived　on　the　scene；　I　did　not　know；　but　he　must　have　seen　the　military　go　off　with　their　prisoner。　This　was　his　farewell　to　us；　and　none　of　us　doubted　that　his　chief　would　soon　be　informed　of　the　news。
　Emerson　smiled。　〃Clever　beggar；　isn't　he？〃
　Selim；　who　had　missed　all　the　excitement　and　was　still　brooding　about　it；　said　under　his　breath；　〃Beggar。　Yes。　He　is　a　clever　man。　And　so　is　…〃　He　broke　off；　with　a　glance　at　me。
　〃We　will　talk　about　it　later；　Selim；〃　I　said；　as　softly　as　he　had　done。
　〃As　you　say；　Sitt。　So　…　it　is　over？〃
　〃Yes。　It　is　over。〃
　
　　
　　
　PART　THREE
　
　　
　The　Handof　the　God
　　
　
　
　　
　
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　Sped　on　by　every　assistance　the　military　could　provide；　we　reached　Cairo　in　less　than　two　days。　Selim　left　us　off　at　Shepheard's　just　in　time　for　tea。　He　was　to　take　the　motorcar　on　to　a　prearranged　location　and　leave　it。　What　would　bee　of　it　after　that　I　did　not　know　and　did　not　ask；　I　was　only　happy　to　be　rid　of　the　thing；　for　I　had　feared　Emerson　…　and　Selim　…　would　want　to　keep　it。　They　did　want　to；　very　badly；　but　Emerson　admitted　it　might　be　a　trifle　difficult　to　explain　how　we　had　acquired　it。
　The　terrace　was　crowded；　and　our　appearance　aroused　a　certain　amount　of　ill…bred　attention；　even　from　acquaintances　who　ought　not　have　been　surprised　at　anything　we　did。　I　heard　Mrs。　Pettigrew's　trumpeting　voice　address　her　husband：　〃There　are　the　Emersons　again；　Hector；　looking　even　more　disreputable　than　usual。　It　is　positively　embarrassing　to　be　acquainted　with　them。〃　I　waved　my　parasol　at　her　in　a　conspicuous　manner。
　There　was　some　justice　in　her　description；　two　days'　motoring　on　military　roads　does　not　improve　an　individual's　appearance；　and　our　wardrobes　had　been　deficient　to　start　with。　However；　Ramses　and　Emerson　in　Arab　dress；　Nefret　and　I　in　sadly　crumpled　European　attire；　and　Esin；　enveloped　in　veils；　as　Nefret's　maidservant；　occasioned　no　ment　from　the　well…trained　staff　of　Shepheard's；　and　I　was　not　surprised　to　learn　our　old　rooms　had　been　reserved　for　us。　The　luggage　we　had　left　was　brought　to　us；　so　for　the　first　time　in　days　we　were　able　to　clean　up　and　dress　in　proper　clothing。　There　were　a　number　of　messages；　most　of　them　from　Cyrus　or　Katherine；　asking　when　we　would　return　to　Luxor。　They　had　no　news　to　report；　except　that　Jumana　was　still　sulking　（Katherine's　word）　or　grieving　（Cyrus's）。
　〃We　had　better　take　the　train　tomorrow　night；〃　I　said。
　Emerson　grunted。　He　had　not　found　the　message　he　hoped　for。
　〃What's　your　hurry；　Peabody？　I　thought　you'd　want　to　shop　and　do　your　usual　social　round。〃
　〃Replenishment　of　certain　supplies　would　be　expedient；〃　I　agreed。　〃But　I　can　acplish　that　tomorrow。　What　do　you　say；　Nefret？　Do　you　want　to　spend　some　time　at　the　hospital？〃
　Nefret　was　watching　Ramses；　who　had　taken　up　the　latest　issue　of　the　Egyptian　Gazette。　〃I　may　run　in　for　an　hour　or　so；　Mother；　but　I　would　just　as　soon　go　on　to　Luxor　at　once。　Ramses？〃
　〃I　am　ready　whenever　you　are〃　was　the　reply。
　〃Is　Ramses　concealing　something？〃　Emerson　asked；　when　he　and　I　were　alone。　〃I　expected　he　would　be　anxious　to　get　back　to　work；　but　he　sounded　almost　indifferent。〃
　〃I　am　pleased　to　find　you　more　sensitive　to　your　son's　feelings；　Emerson。　In　this　case　I　can　interpret　them　for　you。〃
　〃Pray　do；〃　said　Emerson　coldly。
　〃He　was　only　exhibiting　his　usual　consideration　for　the　opinions　of　others；　particularly　those　of　Nefret。　In　fact　I　believe　he　would　like　to　put　this　whole　business　behind　him。　You　know；〃　I　continued；　sorting　garments　that　required　washing；　〃that　when　he　is　in　the　thick　of　the　action；　he　rather　enjoys　it。　He　doesn't　have　time　to　think　about　what　he　is　doing。　Later；　when　there　is　leisure　for　introspection；　his　overly　active　conscience　reproaches　him　for　employing　and　even　enjoying　violence。　He　is　…〃
　〃I'm　sorry　I　asked；〃　Emerson　snarled。　〃I　might　have　known　you'd　start　talking　psychology。　When　are　you　going　to　deliver　the　girl？　I'm　not　sure　I　like　that　part　of　it。　How　do　we　know　those　bastards　won't　bully　or　mistreat　her？〃
　〃That　is　another　thing　that　is　bothering　Ramses；〃　I　said。　〃And　do　not　berate　me　for　talking　psychology　…　you　are　as　sentimental　about　the　girl　as　he　is。　As　for　me；　I　shall　be　glad　to　be　rid　of　the　responsibility。　You　may　rest　assured；　however；　that　I　will　not　leave　her　until　I　am　certain　she　will　be　treated　kindly。　I　will　take　her　to　Ismailiya　first　thing　tomorrow　morning。〃
　Emerson　did　not　acpany　us。　He　was　afraid　Esin　would　cry　and　plead。　I　thought　she　might　too；　so　I　did　not　attempt　to　change　his　mind。　I　could　not　dissuade　Ramses　from　ing；　however。　He　had　that　stubborn　set　to　his　mouth。
　Esin　was　wearing　one　of　Nefret's　frocks。　She　was　somewhat　stouter　than　Nefret；　but　this　dress　had　a　loose　fit　and　an　adjustable　belt。　It　did　not　bee　her。　I　had　not　told　her　what　was　in　store　for　her；　in　part　because　I　do　not　believe　in　anticipating　trouble　and　in　part　because　I　wasn't　certain　myself。　It　all　depended　on　what；　and　whom；　we　found　at　that　address　in　Ismailiya。
　It　looked　respectable；　at　any　rate　…　a　house　set　in　its　own　gardens；　built　in　the　European　style　of　the　previous　century。　Esin　let　Ramses　help　her　out　of　the　cab　and　looked　admiringly　at　the　house。
　〃It　is　very　modern。　Are　we　paying　a　visit？〃
　〃Yes；〃　I　said。
　The　door　was　opened　by　a　manservant；　who　led　us　into　a　nicely　furnished　sitting　room。　We　were　expected；　it　seemed；　he　had　not　asked　our　names；　and　we　had　only　been　waiting　a　few　minutes　before　a　lady　entered　the　room　…　the　lady　Smith　had　introduced　as　his　sister。
　〃Mrs。　Bayes！〃　I　exclaimed。　〃So　you　are　…〃
　〃Very　pleased　to　see　you　again；〃　the　lady　cut　in　smoothly。　〃Mr。　Emerson；　a　pleasure。　And　this　is　Miss　Sahin？　Wele；　my　dear。　Did　Mrs。　Emerson　tell　you　you　are　to　stay　with　me　for　a　while？〃
　〃Am　I？　Must　I？〃　She　gave　Ramses　an　implo