Crocodile on the Sandbank - Elizabeth Peters [84]
“I am inclined to think so.”
“And you do nothing? A faithful follower—a helper we badly need—”
“What can I do?” Emerson inquired, reasonably enough. “One result of these activities has been to keep us fully occupied; we have not had time, or personnel, for retaliation; we can barely enact defensive measures. I think Michael has not been harmed.”
“I wish I could be so confident. Well, we can hardly march into the village and demand that he be delivered up to us. What a pity we could not apprehend the Mummy. We might have effected an exchange of prisoners.”
“We could do a great deal more than that if we had the Mummy,” Emerson replied. He tapped out his pipe and put it in his pocket. “It does seem as if the stars are against us. Twice now we ought to have had our hands on it. But let us not waste time in vain regrets. I am concerned for Miss Evelyn—”
“Do you suppose I am not? I think I must take her away. She might at least sleep on the dahabeeyah, with the crew to guard her.”
“The boat is only a few miles from here. Our mummified friend seems to have excellent powers of locomotion.”
I felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dashed over me.
“It surely would not venture there! If its primary aim is to convince you to quit the site—”
“I am not in a position to state, unequivocally, what the aim of an animated mummy might be. But if that is its purpose, a serious threat to Miss Evelyn might accomplish it. Do you suppose Walter would remain here if he believed she was in danger?”
“Ah,” I said. “So you have observed that.”
“I am not blind, nor deaf, nor wholly insensible. I sense also that she is not indifferent to him.”
“And, of course, you disapprove.”
“Why, Peabody, you know my mercenary nature. I need money for my excavations. The aim is noble—to rescue knowledge from the vandalism of man and time. Walter might make an advantageous marriage; he is a handsome fellow, don’t you think? You could hardly suppose I would allow him to throw himself away on a penniless girl. Miss Evelyn is penniless, is she not?”
As he spoke, in an insufferably sarcastic tone, I thought I detected a faint smell of singeing cloth.
“She is penniless,” I replied shortly.
“A pity,” Emerson mused. “Well, but if she is not good enough for Walter, she is too nice a child to be handed over to the Mummy. I propose that we test our theory. Let her sleep tomorrow night on the dehabeeyah, and—we will see what happens. You will have to use trickery, Peabody, to induce her to stay there; she does not lack courage, and will not willingly leave Walter. I suggest we propose an expedition to the boat tomorrow, to fetch various necessities. I will leave Abdullah to guard Walter—”
“Why not carry Walter with us? He would be better on the boat.”
“I don’t think we should risk moving him.”
“Perhaps not. But to leave him here alone, with only Abdullah…. He is not the most reliable of guards. I think he is increasingly fearful.”
“Walter will only be alone for a few hours, in daylight. I will return as soon as I have escorted you to the dahabeeyah. You must counterfeit illness, or something, to keep Miss Evelyn there overnight.”
“Yes, sir,” I said. “And then?”
“Then you must remain on guard. I may be wrong; the Mummy may not come. But if it does, you and you alone will be responsible for Miss Evelyn’s safety. Can you take on such a task?”
The smell of singeing cloth grew stronger. I have a very keen sense of smell.
“Certainly I can.”
“You had better take this,” he said, and to my consternation, produced the revolver he had taken from Lucas. I shrank back as he offered it.
“No, don’t be absurd! I have never handled firearms; I might injure someone. I can manage without a gun, you may be sure.”
“So you do admit to some weaknesses.”
There was definitely a small curl of smoke issuing from the pocket in which Emerson had placed his pipe. I had been about to point this out. Instead I remarked, “I have said that I can manage without a weapon. How many men can claim as much? Good night, Emerson. I accept your plan. You need have no