elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第74章

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　〃You　may　well　ask；〃　Emerson　continued；　smirking　at　me；　〃why　I　bothered　with　a　disguise。　It　was　a　necessary　precaution。　If　I　had　been　found　inside　the　room；　by　one　of　the　Albions　or　a　servant；　the　individual　would　only　have　caught　a　glimpse　of　a　bearded　Egyptian　before　I　made　my　getaway；　through　the　window　or　out　the　door。　In　fact；　I　was　not　disturbed。　I　had　ample　time　to　search　all　the　rooms；　which　were　interconnected。　The　loot；　if　I　may　so　express　it；　was　in　Albion's　room。　He　and　his　wife　occupy　separate　bedchambers。〃
　〃That　is　an　extraneous　fact；　Emerson；〃　I　said。　〃And　none　of　our　business。〃
　〃One　never　knows　what　may　be　relevant；　Peabody。　It　is　possible；　though　not　probable；　that　she　is　unaware　of　Albion's　dealings　with　Jamil。　He　had　a　boxful　of　artifacts；　including　some　fragments　of　the　painting　of　Khonsu。　Jamil　must　have　sold　him　those　and　hinted　that　they　were　a　meaningful　clue。　The　lad　had　quite　a　sense　of　humor。　As　for　the　rest　。　。　。　Here's　the　list；　as　nearly　as　I　can　remember。　First；　another　cosmetic　jar　like　the　one　you　purchased；　with　the　cartouche　intact。　It　was；　as　Ramses　deduced；　that　of　the　God's　Wife　Shepenwepet。　Second　and　third；　two　ushebtis　inscribed　for　the　same　woman；　approximately　eight　inches　high；　of　blue…green　faience。　Fourth；　and　most　remarkable；　a　sistrum　of　bronze　inlaid　with　gold。〃　He　took　a　sheet　of　paper　from　the　table　beside　him。　〃I　did　this　while　you　were　all　fussing　over　Bertie；〃　he　explained。　〃My　artistic　skills　are　not　as　good　as　David's；　but　I　wanted　to　capture　the　details　while　I　remembered　them。〃
　We　gathered　round　to　inspect　the　drawing。　The　sistrum　was　a　musical　instrument；　rather　like　a　rattle；　played　before　various　gods。　It　was　dedicated　to　Hathor；　goddess　of　music；　whose　image　appeared　here　as　the　head　of　a　woman　with　long　curling　locks　and　the　characteristic　cow's　ears。　From　this　sculptured　head　rose　a　long　loop　of　copper　wire　threaded　with　rods　which　were　strung　with　beads；　so　that　when　the　sistrum　was　held　by　its　handle　…　this　one　in　the　shape　of　a　lotus　column　…　and　shaken；　it　produced　a　pleasing　if　somewhat　monotonous　sound。　All　the　elements　I　have　described　were　present　in　Emerson's　sketch；　which　meant　that　this　object　was　truly　unusual；　undamaged；　and　intact。
　〃Couldn't　get　the　face　right；〃　Emerson　admitted。　〃It's　very　beautiful。　Obviously　from　a　royal　workshop。〃
　〃And　made　for　a　royal　woman；〃　Ramses　said。　〃I　admire　your　forbearance；　Father；　I'd　have　been　strongly　tempted　to　take　this。　It　ought　to　be　in　a　museum。〃
　〃It　will　be；〃　Emerson　assured　him；　with　a　snap　of　his　teeth。　〃We'll　give　the　Albions　plenty　of　rope；　before　we　pull　the　noose　tight。　There　can　be　no　doubt；　Jamil's　tomb　is　that　of　one　of　the　Divine　Wives　of　Amon；　and　if　these　small　objects　are　representative　of　the　contents；　Heaven　only　knows　what　else　may　be　there。〃
　Cyrus　let　out　a　low　moan。　〃I'd　sell　my　soul　for　a　find　like　that。　And　if　Joe　Albion　gets　to　it　first；　I'll　strangle　him　with　my　bare　hands。〃
　　
　Next　day　I　penned　a　courteous　note　to　Mrs。　Albion　thanking　her　for　her　delightful　party。　It　was　somewhat　hypocritical；　as　Emerson　was　quick　to　point　out；　but　in　my　opinion　a　certain　amount　of　hypocrisy　is　necessary　in　maintaining　the　social　amenities。　If　everyone　said　exactly　what　he　or　she　thought　of　everyone　else；　there　would　be　no　social　amenities。
　〃Anyhow；〃　I　added；　folding　the　note；　〃breaking　off　relations　with　the　Albions　would　be　a　serious　error　until　we　get　the　goods　on　them。〃
　We　went　to　work　as　usual；　but　did　not　acplish　a　great　deal。　Emerson's　discovery　of　the　artifacts　had　whetted　his　appetite　and　stimulated　his　imagination。　He　tried　to　concentrate　on　the　work　at　hand；　but　he　would　stop　from　time　to　time　and　stare　off　into　space；　mumbling　to　himself。　How　well　I　understood！　The　broken　mud…brick　walls　of　Deir　el　Medina　were　so　pitiful　in　parison　to　golden　dreams　of　a　royal　tomb。
　Jumana　had　e　late　to　breakfast；　looking　so　woebegone　and　red　around　the　eyes　that　Sennia　demanded　to　know　where　it　hurt　and　what　she　could　do　to　make　it　better。　Nefret　distracted　the　child　by　describing　the　decorations　of　the　ballroom　and　the　lavish　menu；　and　the　Great　Cat　of　Re　provided　an　additional　diversion　by　appearing　with　an　agitated　mouse　in　its　mouth。　With　Sennia's　assistance　Ramses　managed　to　pry　the　cat's　jaws　apart　and　remove　the　mouse；　which　he　carried　outside　and　released；　to　the　utter　disgust　of　Horus。　I　hoped　that　the　presentation　of　unharmed；　living　prey　was　not　being　a　habit　with　the　confounded　cat。　Horus　at　least　had　the　decency　to　dispose　of　his　in　private。
　I　decided　to　say　no　more　to　Jumana。　She　had　been　punished　by　our　bined　disapproval　and　Nefret's　tongue…lashing；　and　after　all；　she　had　not　mitted　a　serious　misdemeanor；　only　an　error　in　judgment　understandable　in　a　young　girl。　After　having　been　raised　in　one　society　she　had　had　to　learn　the　ways　of　another；　and　since　she　had　only　been　acquainted　with　men　whose　moral　sensibilities　were　irreproachable；　it　was　not　surprising　that　she　should　have　misunderstood　the　despicable　intentions　of　Sebastian　Albion。
　She　accepted　the　tedious　task　of　sifting　the　fill　without　plaint　and　worked　steadily　all　morning。　When　we　stopped　for　luncheon　she　sat　to　one　side；　her　eyes　downcast；　and　Cyrus；　kindhearted　individual　that　he　was；　made　an　attempt　to　cheer　her　up。
　〃How　about　helping　me　this　afternoon？〃　he　asked。　〃You've　been　at　that　rubbish　dump　all　morning。　That　all　right　with　you；　Emerson？〃
　〃Certainly；　certainly；〃　said　my　equally　tenderhearted　husband。
　〃You　were　asking　the　other　day　about　the　theodolite；〃　Bertie　said。　〃I'll　show　you　how　to　use　it；　if　you　like。〃
　It　was　the　first　remark　he　had　addressed　to　her；　for　she　had　kept　out　of　his　way。　Her　expressive　face　brightened。
　〃Thank　you。　You　are　very　kind。〃
　By　the　end　of　the　day　she　had　recovered　her　good　spirits。　Whether　she　had　had　the　decency　to　apologize　to　Bertie　I　did　not　know；　but　she　was　painstakingly　polite　to　him　and　he　responded　like　the　nice　lad　he　was；　with　no　evidence　of　hard　feelings。
　Several　days　passed　without　our　hearing　a　word　from　the　Albions；　to　the　disappointment　of　Emerson；　who　had　rather　hoped　they　would　notice　that　the　stolen　objects　had　been　disturbed。　If　they　questioned　the　sufragi　who　had　found　him　trying　to　open　the　lock　they　would　know　the　identity　of　the　intruder。
　〃The　sufragi　wouldn't　betray　the　Father　of　Curses；〃　said　Ramses。　〃You　ought　to　have　left　your　card。〃
　Emerson　curled　his　lip　in　acknowledgment　of　this　touch　of　humor。
　〃Why　stir　them　up？〃　Nefret　asked。　〃They've　abandoned　their　plans　to　excavate。　Perhaps　they've　given　up　on　finding　the　tomb。〃
　〃No；　they　have　not；〃　Emerson　grumbled。　〃Selim　says　they　have　hired　that　rascal　Mohammed　Hammad　as　their　dragoman。　He　came　back　from　wherever　he　was　as　soon　as　he　got　the　word　that　Jamil　was　dead。　He's　no　more　a　dragoman　than　I　am　an　opera　singer。〃
　〃He's　a　thief；〃　I　agreed。　〃But　you　may　be　sure　he　doesn't　know　any　more　about　Jamil's　tomb　than　we　do。　He'd　have　been　looting　it　before　this　if　he　did。〃
　The　weather　had　turned　unusually　hot　for　that　time　of　year。　Even　the　nights　were　still　and　warm。　We　were　all　affected　by　it　to　some　extent；　except　for　Emerson；　who　never　feels　the　heat　and　who　can　sleep　through　an　earthquake。　Never　would　I　relinquish　the　fort　of　my　husband's　presence；　but　I　must　say　that　lying　next　to　him　was　rather　like　being　in　close　proximity　to　an　oven。　After　several　restless　nights；　I　had　just　got　to　sleep　…　or　so　it　felt　…　when　he　mumbled　loudly　in　my　ear。　It　was　the　too…familiar　refrain：　〃Hand　of　the　god　。　。　。　what　。　。　。　where？〃
　I　gave　him　a　rather　sharp　poke。　He　rolled　over；　shoving　me　to　the　edge　of　the　bed。
　Wide　awake　and　somewhat　vexed；　I　abandoned　any　hope　of　repose。　I　went　to　the　window　and　leaned　out。　The　room　was　still　dark　but　there　was　a　freshness　in　the　air　that　betokened　the　ing　of　dawn。　It　cooled　my　warm　cheeks；　and　my　temper。　I　had　been　standing　there　for　several　minutes　when　I　heard　the　creak　of　an　opening　door。　It　was　the　door　at　the　far　end　of　the　courtyard。　I　had　been　meaning　to　have　Ali　oil　the　hinges。
　It　was　light　enough　by　now　for　me　to　see　dim　shapes。　There　were　two　of　them　in　the　doorway；　huddled　close　together。　A　whisper　reached　my　ears；　one　form　vanished；　the　other　moved　slyly　and　quietly　toward　the　house。
　I　saw　no　need　to　wake　Emerson；　it　is　a　laborious　process　at　best；　and　I　preferred　to　deal　with　this　myself。　I　waited　until　she　had　almost　reached　her　window　before　I　climbed　out　of　mine。　She　let　out　a　stifled　shriek　and　turned　to　flee；　but　I　was　too　quick　for　her。
　〃Where　have　you　been？〃　I　demanded；　seizing　her　in　a　firm　grip。
　〃I　…　I　…〃　Invention　failed；　she　gasped；　〃Oh；　Sitt　Hakim；　you　frightened　me！〃
　〃Where　have　you　been；　Jumana？〃
　〃Only　for　a　walk。　It　was　hot。　I　could　not　sleep。〃
　〃You　were　with　a　man。　Don't　lie；　I　saw　him。〃
　〃I　did　nothing　wrong。　Please　believe　me！〃
　〃So　you　have　said　before。　What　precisely　did　you　do？〃
　〃I　…　I　promised　I　would　not　tell。　I　gave　my　word！〃
　Exasperation　had　caused　me　to　raise　my　voice；　and　defiance；　as　I　thought　it；　had　caused　her　to　raise　hers。　A　grumble　and　a　thrashing　of　bedclothes　told　me　that　we　had　wakened　Emerson。　These　sounds　were　followed　by　a　shout：　〃Peabody！〃　He　always　shouts　when　he　reaches　out　and　finds　I　am　not　beside　him。
　〃Here；〃　I　called。
　Emerson　stumbled　to　the　window　and　looked　out。　〃Is　that　。　。　。　Oh；　good　Gad！〃
　Only　the　upper　half　of　his　body　was　visible；　but　Emerson　is　a　modest　man；　he　retreated；　cursing；　and　began　looking　for　his　clothes。　I　knew　it　would　take　him　a　while；　so　I　pushed　Jumana　toward　her　window。
　〃Go　in。　You　are　to　remain　in　your　room。　If　you　leave　the　house　without　my　permission；　you　need　never　e　back。〃
　She　obeyed　without　resistance；　verbal　or　physical。　I　thought　I　heard　a　little　sob。　It　did　not　soften　my　heart。
　When　I　climbed　back　in　my　own　window；　Emerson　was　still　searching　for　his　trousers。　〃Never　mind　that；　Emerson；〃　I　said。　〃You　may　as　well　bathe　and　dress　properly；　it　is　almost　morning。　We　have　a　serious　problem　on　our　hands。　Jumana　has　been　creeping　out　at　night　…　possibly　for　several　nights　…　and　she　was　with　a　man。　I　am　afraid　it　was　Sebastian　Albion。〃
　〃Damnation；〃　Emerson　murmured。　He　ran　his　fingers　through　his　disheveled　hair；　pushing　it　back　from　his　face。　〃Are　you　sure？〃
　〃Who　else　would　it　be？　Unless；〃　I　added　bitterly；　〃she　has　a　whole　string　of　them。　How　could　I　have　been　so　deceived　in　her　character？　I　am　sadly　disappointed；　Emerson。〃
　〃Now；　Peabody；　don't　jump　to　conclusions。〃　He　sat　on　the　side　of　the　bed　and　pulled　me　down　next　to　him。　〃There　may　be　an　innocent　explanation。　Have　you　given　her　a　chance　to　explain？〃
　〃She　refused　to　answer　my　questions。　She　said　she　had　given　her　word。　Her　word！　To　a　vile　deceiver　like　that！〃
　〃Give　her　another　chance。〃　A　horrible　idea　struck　him。　In　quavering　tones　he　asked；　〃You　don't　want　me　to　question　her；　do　you？〃
　〃No；　Emerson；　you　are　hopeless　about　such　matters。　I　will　give　her　another　chance　to　confess；　naturally。　I　will　leave　her　locked　in　her　room　today　and　speak　to　her　again　this　evening；　after　she　has　had　time　to　repent。〃
　〃And　you　have　had　time　to　cool　off；〃　said　Emerson；　putting　an　arm　round　my　shoulders。　〃My　dear；　I　don't　blame　you　for　being　hurt　an