elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第68章

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ing。〃
　〃I　trust　that　is　agreeable　to　you　and　Nefret；　Ramses。　Did　he　do　you　the　courtesy　of　asking？〃
　〃So　far　as　I　am　concerned；　the　sooner　we　leave　Cairo；　the　better。〃
　True　to　her　word；　Nefret　turned　up　in　good　time；　to　report　that　all　was　well　at　the　hospital　and　that　she　was　perfectly　agreeable　to　a　departure　that　evening。　I　suspected　her　motives　were　the　same　as　mine；　I　wanted　no　more　encounters　with　General　Murray　or　any　of　his　lot。　We　had　done　our　duty　and　more；　we　had　handed　over　a　very　important　prisoner　to　the　military；　and　we　had　reported　（some　of）　our　activities　to　General　Chetwode。　They　could　ask　no　more　of　us；　but　they　probably　would；　if　we　stayed　in　Cairo。
　〃Isn't　Father　back　yet？〃　she　asked。　〃I　made　him　go　with　me　to　the　hospital　so　that　I　could　X…ray　his　arm　and　replace　the　cast；　but　that　was　hours　ago。〃
　Another　hour　passed　with　no　sign　of　Emerson。　Nefret　suggested　we　order　coffee　and　biscuits；　adding　with　a　rueful　smile；　〃My　appetite　has　bee　outrageous　since　Gaza。　I　suppose　it's　because　we　ate　such　peculiar　things　at　such　peculiar　hours。〃
　〃No　doubt；〃　I　said。
　The　minutes　dragged　by。　Finally　I　heard　the　unmistakable　thud　of　Emerson's　heavy　steps；　and　the　door　was　flung　open。　A　cry　of　indignation　burst　from　my　lips。
　〃Emerson；　how　many　times　must　I　tell　you　not　to　use　that　cast　like　a　battering　ram？　And　why　aren't　you　wearing　your　coat？　And　your　cravat？　And　…〃
　Emerson　glanced　in　mild　surprise　at　his　arm。　〃Forgot；〃　he　said；　tossing　his　crumpled　coat　onto　the　floor。　〃Coffee？　Good。　How　did　it　go？〃
　〃How　did　what　。　。　。　？　Oh；　Esin。　It　is　all　settled　and　she　is　in　good　hands。　Where　the　devil　have　you　been？〃
　Emerson　sipped　his　coffee。　Ramses　leaned　forward；　forearms　resting　on　his　knees。　〃Shall　I　hazard　a　guess？〃
　〃If　you　like；〃　said　Emerson；　rolling　his　eyes　at　me。
　〃Hilmiya。〃
　〃Oh；　Emerson；　you　didn't！〃　I　cried。
　〃I　had　to；　didn't　I？　What　the　devil；　the　crafty　bastard　did　me　a　favor　…　two　favors；　in　fact。〃
　〃How　did　you　get　into　the　camp？〃　Ramses　asked　curiously。
　〃Walked　up　to　the　gate　and　announced　myself；〃　said　his　father；　holding　out　his　cup　for　me　to　refill　it。　〃El…Gharbi　was　not　surprised　to　see　me　…　he　had　heard　of　our　return。　He　seems　to　hear　everything。　He　wanted　me　to　pay　him　for　the　damage　to　the　motorcar。〃
　〃Did　you？〃　Nefret　asked；　torn　between　amusement　and　disgust。
　〃No。　His　people　had　stolen　the　thing；　hadn't　they？　I　assured　him；〃　said　Emerson；　with　another　wary　glance　at　me；　〃that　I　would　speak　on　his　behalf。　Exile；　to　his　village　in　Upper　Egypt；　would　satisfy　him　and　settle　my　debt。〃
　〃Oh；　dear；〃　I　murmured。　〃Well；　Emerson；　you　acted　according　to　your　lights；　I　suppose。　Go　and　clean　up；　it　is　past　time　for　luncheon。〃
　I　followed　him　into　our　room；　for　I　knew　that　if　I　did　not　assist　his　ablutions　he　would　get　the　cast　wet。
　〃I　trust　el…Gharbi　was　properly　appreciative；〃　I　said；　assisting　him　to　remove　his　shirt。
　〃In　his　fashion。　He　said　something　rather　strange。〃
　〃What？　Let　me　do　that；　Emerson。〃
　I　took　the　dripping　washcloth　from　his　hand。
　〃　'The　young　serpent　also　has　poisoned　fangs。'　〃
　〃I　beg　your　pardon；　Emerson？〃
　〃Those　were　his　precise　words；　Peabody。　I　haven't　the　vaguest　idea　what　they　mean；　but　it　has　the　ring　of　a　warning；　doesn't　it？〃
　〃Hmm。　Perhaps　he　was　referring　to　Jamil。〃　I　put　the　washcloth　down　and　picked　up　a　towel。
　〃The　warning　es　a　bit　late；〃　said　Emerson。　〃But　that　is　how　soothsayers　and　fortune…tellers　and　such　individuals　make　their　reputations；　by　predicting　what　has　already　happened。　The　devil　with　it；　and　el…Gharbi。　I　stopped　by　the　railroad　station　and　made　reservations。　We　will　take　the　train　tonight。〃
　　
　I　did　not　wire　ahead。　We　would　probably　arrive　before　the　telegram　was　delivered；　and　Fatima　always　kept　the　house　in　perfect　order。　The　happy　surprise　I　had　planned　for　her　and　the　others　was　spoiled；　however；　by　the　network　of　gossip　that　enpasses　Luxor。　By　the　time　we　reached　the　house；　the　whole　family　was　on　the　veranda　waiting　for　us。　Sennia　darted　at　Ramses；　shouting；　〃See　how　much　taller　and　stronger　I　am？〃
　Before　any　of　us　could　stop　her；　she　had　thrown　her　arms　round　him　in　one　of　her　gigantic　hugs。　We　always　pretended　to　be　left　breathless　by　her　strength；　but　she　knew　at　once　that　his　gasp　of　pain　was　not　feigned；　and　began　fussing　and　apologizing。　She　made　him　sit　down　and　lifted　both　his　feet　onto　a　stool。
　〃You've　been　and　got　yourselves　into　trouble　again；〃　said　Gargery　sternly。　〃Was　it　that　Master　Criminal　chap？　I　trust；　sir　and　madam；　that　he　isn't　going　to　turn　up　here。　We've　got　enough　problems　without　that。〃
　〃What　sort　of　problems？〃　I　asked。
　〃There　is　no　trouble；　Sitt；〃　said　Fatima；　with　a　reproachful　glance　at　Gargery。　〃Rest　and　I　will　bring　tea。〃
　Gargery　would　not　be　silenced。　〃It's　mostly　these　young　women；　madam。　That　girl　that　was　working　for　Miss　Nefret　has　been　round　saying　you　promised　to　find　her　a　husband。　She's　got　a　chap　in　mind　and　wants　you　to　pin　him　down　before　he　can　get　away。〃
　We　all　laughed　except　Sennia；　who　was　still　fussing　over　Ramses。　〃She　didn't　put　it　that　way；　surely；〃　Nefret　said。
　〃She　keeps　ing　round；〃　said　Gargery　gloomily。　〃And　then　there's　Jumana。　Won't　eat；　won't　talk；　won't　work。　It　puts　a　person　off；　madam；　just　seeing　that　gloomy　face。　And　Mrs。　Vandergelt　…〃
　〃Enough；　Gargery；〃　Emerson　snarled。　〃Can't　we　have　a　single　day　of　peace　and　quiet？　No　one　is　desperately　ill；　no　one　is　dead；　no　one　is　missing？　Good。　Mrs。　Emerson　will　deal　with　these　minor　difficulties　in　due　time。〃
　〃Thank　you；　my　dear；〃　I　said。
　The　sarcasm　was　wasted　on　Emerson。　〃Good　to　be　back；〃　he　declared　with　great　satisfaction。　〃No　use　asking　Gargery　how　things　are　going　at　Deir　el　Medina；　but　I　expect　Vandergelt　will　be　here　before　long；　with　his　own　list　of　plaints。　Never　a　dull　moment；　eh？　Sennia；　you　haven't　given　me　a　kiss。　My　arm　is　bothering　me　quite　a　lot。〃
　Cyrus　was　courteous　enough　not　to　disturb　us　for　the　greater　part　of　the　day。　We　were　sitting　on　the　veranda　admiring　the　lovely　sunset　colors；　as　the　calls　of　the　muezzins　drifted　across　the　desert　in　a　melodious　medley；　when　he　turned　up；　riding　Queenie。
　〃Figured　I'd　arrive　in　time　for　drinks；〃　he　remarked；　handing　the　reins　to　the　stableman。　〃Sure　good　to　have　you　folks　back。　I　hear　Ramses　has　had　another　little　…　er　…　accident。　I　don't　suppose　I　should　ask　where　you've　been　and　what　you've　been　up　to。〃
　〃No；〃　said　Emerson。　He　handed　Cyrus　a　glass。
　It　was　the　answer　Cyrus　had　expected。　He　accepted　it；　and　the　glass　of　whiskey；　with　a　smile。　〃Sure　have　missed　you。　Maybe　you　can　do　something　with　Jumana。　She's　just　wasting　away；　poor　little　girl。〃
　〃No；　she　is　not；〃　I　assured　him。　〃Nefret　and　I　both　examined　her　this　afternoon。　She　is　somewhat　off…color；　since　she　hasn't　left　the　house　for　days；　but　she　hasn't　lost　an　ounce。〃
　〃But　Fatima　said　…〃
　〃She　has　only　picked　at　her　meals。　That　means　she　is　eating　on　the　sly。　I　prescribed　a　particularly　nasty…tasting　tonic。〃
　〃She's　been　putting　it　on？〃　Cyrus　demanded。
　〃It's　not　that　simple；　Cyrus；〃　Nefret　said　thoughtfully。　〃Her　unhappiness　is　genuine。　She　isn't　deliberately　deceiving　us；　but　I　think　…　and　Heaven　knows　I　am　no　expert　…　that　her　natural　youthful　optimism　is　engaged　in　a　mental　struggle　with　her　sense　of　guilt。　I　honestly　don't　know　whether　to　slap　her　or　coddle　her。〃
　〃Put　her　to　work；〃said　Emerson。　〃Always　the　best　medicine。　How　are　things　going　at　Deir　el　Medina；　Vandergelt？〃
　〃　'Bout　the　same。　Found　two　more　tombs。　Empty。〃
　〃You　haven't　broken　your　promise　to　me；　I　hope；〃　I　said。
　〃I　haven't　been　in　the　southwest　wadis；　if　that's　what　you　mean。　But　if　you　think　I've　forgotten　what　that　young　villain　said；　you're　wrong。　I　haven't　been　able　to　sleep；　wondering　what　he　meant。　'The　hand　of　the　god。'　What　god？　Where？〃　Cyrus　held　out　his　empty　glass。　In　silent　sympathy；　Emerson　refilled　it。　He　had　no　patience　with　psychology；　but　this　distress　he　could　understand。
　Cyrus　went　on；　in　mounting　passion；　〃I　even　went　back　into　that　darned　shrine　…　the　one　where　we　found　the　statue　of　Amon　last　year。　Well；　he's　a　god；　isn't　he？　Bertie　and　I　examined　every　inch　of　the　darned　room。　The　walls　and　floor　are　solid。〃
　〃Bah；〃　said　Emerson。　〃Stop　wasting　time　on　fantasies；　Vandergelt。〃
　〃Don't　be　a　hypocrite；　Emerson；〃　I　said。　〃We　have　all　been　speculating　and　guessing　and　theorizing。　It　is　a　pretty　little　problem。　Supposing　Jamil　was　not　trying　to　mislead　or　tantalize　us；　which　may　well　have　been　the　case；　there　are　a　good　many　gods　shown　on　a　good　many　wall　surfaces　in　Thebes。　Deir　el　Bahri；　Medinet　Habu；　every　tomb　on　the　West　Bank　…　What　is　it；　Cyrus？〃
　〃Excuse　me；　Amelia；　I　didn't　mean　to　interrupt。　You　just　reminded　me。　This　little　piece　of　news　ought　to　get　your　attention；　Emerson；〃　he　added；　with　a　grimace　at　my　husband。　〃Give　you　three　guesses　who　has　started　an　excavation　in　the　Valley　of　the　Kings。〃
　Emerson's　look　of　lofty　indifference　turned　to　a　scowl。　〃Without　official　permission？　Confound　it；　Vandergelt　…〃
　〃Not　the　Albions？〃　I　exclaimed。
　〃Might　have　known　you'd　hit　it　on　the　head　first　time；〃　said　Cyrus。　〃You're　both　right。　It's　Joe　and　his　family；　and　they　don't　have　official　permission。〃
　〃And　you　let　them？〃　Emerson　demanded。
　〃I　notified　Cairo。　That　was　all　I　could　do；　as　Joe　gleefully　pointed　out　to　me。　I　haven't　got　the　authority　to　stop　them。〃
　〃Where　in　the　Valley？〃　Ramses　asked。
　〃In　that　southern　branch　of　the　wadi　near　Number　Twenty　…　Hatshepsut's　tomb。〃
　〃Why　there；　I　wonder？〃　Ramses　said。
　〃Dunno。　It's　off　the　regular　tourist　track；　so　maybe　they　hoped　they　wouldn't　be　spotted　right　away。　Can't　think　of　any　other　reason　why　they　would　pick　that　area。〃
　〃Damnation；〃　muttered　Emerson。　〃I　had　intended　to　start　work　first　thing　tomorrow　morning。　Now　I　will　have　to　waste　several　hours　expelling　the　Albions。〃
　〃How　do　you　propose　to　do　that？〃　I　inquired。　〃You　haven't　the　authority　either；　and　if　you　lay　violent　hands　on　any　one　of　them　…　especially　Mrs。　Albion　…〃
　〃Good　Gad；　Peabody；　have　you　ever　known　me　to　lay　violent　hands　on　a　woman？　There　are　ways；〃　said　Emerson；　stroking　his　chin。　〃There　are　ways。〃
　〃Well；　I　sure　don't　want　to　miss　that；〃　Cyrus　declared。　〃I'll　be　waiting　for　you　in　the　morning。　You'll　all　dine　with　us　tomorrow　evening；　I　hope。　Katherine　is　anxious　to　see　you。〃
　Ramses　and　Nefret　decided　they　did　not　want　to　miss　it　either。　I　went　along　to　make　certain　Emerson　behaved　himself。　Jumana　went　along　because　I　insisted。　Nefret's　diagnosis　might　be　correct　…　it　was　in　keeping　with　the　principles　of　psychology　I　favored　…　but　she　had　confessed　herself　uncertain　as　to　the　appropriate　treatment。　I　had　my　own　ideas　on　that　subject。　If　my　methods　were　not　effective；　at　least　they　could　do　no　harm。
　Jumana　ate　very　little　at　breakfast；　but　I　had　checked　the　larder　before　retiring　and　again　when　I　arose；　and　was　not　surprised　to　find　that　half　a　loaf　of　bread　and　a　chicken　breast　had　disappeared　overnight。　It　was　no　wonder　Fatima　had　not　noticed　anything　amiss。　The　larder　was　open　to　everyone　in　the　house；　and　Sennia　had　an　appetite　quite　out　of　proportion　to　her　little　frame。
　Cyrus　and　Bertie　had　been　looking　out　for　us　and　joined　us　at　the　end　of　the　track　tha