Crocodile on the Sandbank - Elizabeth Peters [88]
I spoke in part to change a subject that was clearly painful to Evelyn, but I was right; for some time the soft murmur of voices from the deck below had been gradually increasing in volume. The sound was not angry or alarming; there was considerable laughter and some unorganized singing.
Lucas smiled. “They are celebrating your return. I ordered a ration of whiskey to be served out. A few of them refused, on religious grounds; but the majority seem willing to forget the admonitions of the Prophet for one night. Moslems are very much like Christians in some ways.”
“You ought not to have done that,” I said severely. “We ought to strengthen the principles of these poor people, not corrupt them with our civilized vices.”
“There is nothing vicious about a glass of wine,” Lucas protested.
“Well, you have had enough,” I said, removing the bottle as he reached for it. “Kindly recall, my lord, that our friends at the camp are still in danger. If we should receive a distress signal in the night—”
Evelyn let out a cry of alarm, and Lucas glared at me.
“Your friend Emerson would not call for help if he were being burned at the stake,” he said, with a sneer that robbed the statement of any complimentary effect. “Why do you frighten Evelyn unnecessarily?”
“I am not frightened,” Evelyn said. “And I agree with Amelia. Please, Lucas, don’t drink any more.”
“Your slightest wish is my command,” said Lucas softly.
But I feared the request had come too late. Lucas had already taken more than was good for him.
Soon after this Evelyn pleaded fatigue and suggested that I too retire, in order to build up my strength. The reminder came at an opportune time, for I had forgotten I was supposed to be ailing. I sent her to her cabin and then called the reis; the noise from below was now so great that I was afraid Evelyn would not be able to sleep. Hassan, at least, showed no signs of inebriation, but I had a hard time communicating with him, for, of course, he spoke very little English. How I missed our devoted Michael! Eventually I got the reis to understand that we were retiring, and we wished the noise kept down. He bowed and retired; shortly thereafter the voices did drop in tone.
Lucas had been sitting in sullen silence, staring at the wine bottle, which was at my elbow. I was of two minds as to whether to carry it with me when I retired. I decided against it. Lucas probably had plenty more.
As I rose, he jumped up and held my chair.
“Excuse my bad manners, Miss Amelia,” he said quietly. “But indeed, I am not at all drunk. I merely wanted to convey that impression.”
“It seems to be a favorite plan of yours,” I said drily, walking toward the stairs. Lucas followed me.
“I am sleeping in one of the cabins below,” he said, in the same soft voice. “I will be awake and ready in case I am needed.”
Now I had said nothing to Lucas of my conversation with Emerson the preceding night. Emerson had not needed to caution me against it; I had no particular confidence in Lucas myself. His comment meant that, independently, he had arrived at the same conclusion we had reached, and this fact both alarmed and interested me.
“I trust I will not need you,” I replied.
We descended the narrow stairs and went into the cabin area. Lucas took my arm and brought me to a halt.
“This is the cabin I am occupying,” he whispered. “Will you wait a moment, Miss Amelia? I want to show you something.”
I waited in the dark corridor while he stepped into the cabin. He was back in a moment, carrying a long object, like a stick. I peered through the gloom before I was able to identify it; and then I started to expostulate.
“Never fear,” said Lucas, holding up the rifle—for such it was. “It is not loaded. I would not make that mistake again.”
“Then why carry it?”
“Sssh!” Lucas put a finger to his lips. “Only you and I know it is not loaded. Perhaps the Mummy has reason not to fear a small-caliber handgun, but he will not be so nonchalant about a shell from an express that can bring down a charging elephant. And if all else fails, it makes an admirable