Crocodile on the Sandbank - Elizabeth Peters [99]
I thought for a moment Evelyn was going to faint. She roused herself and began to fumble around in the bedclothes, trying to examine my lower limbs. I pullled them away. I felt perfectly well now; Emerson’s rudeness had the effect of rousing me.
“Don’t fuss, Evelyn,” I said irritably. “The snake did not touch me, it is a slow-witted creature and took so long making up its mind whether to bite me that Emerson had ample time to shoot it. He took plenty of time, too, I must say; I could have dealt with ten snakes during the interval he required to take out his pistol.”
“You know better, Miss Amelia,” Walter exclaimed. “It was necessary to move with deliberation; a rapid movement might have startled the snake into striking. To think that it was just here, at the foot of your bed! It turns me quite cold to think of it. Thank God you had a weapon, Radcliffe.”
“My weapon, I suppose,” said Lucas from the doorway. He came slowly into the room. “What a fortunate chance that you were carrying it with you.”
“There was one bullet left,” Emerson said. His lips curled in a frightful grimace; abruptly he turned his back.
“It was an extraordinary shot,” Lucas said, his eyes on the other man’s rigid shoulders. “A lucky shot, I should say. You might have struck Miss Amelia.”
“It had to be attempted, whatever the risk,” Walter exclaimed. The implied criticism of his brother brought a flush of anger to his face.
“Of course,” cried Evelyn.
She was still pale with agitation, but she arose with her usual grace and, going to Emerson, paced her hand timidly on his arm.
“God bless you, Mr. Emerson. Your quick wits and keen eye saved Amelia’s life. How can I ever thank you?”
Emerson’s stiff, haughty pose relaxed. He turned and looked down at the girl. Some of the color returned to her face under his steady regard. Then he smiled faintly.
“I will let you know,” he replied enigmatically.
“In the meantime, perhaps Master Walter might consider getting rid of his souvenir,” said Lucas. “It cannot be a pleasant sight for the ladies.”
Walter started. He was still holding the snake’s body at arms’ length. He crossed the room, brushing past Lucas, and went out the door.
“And,” Lucas continued, “let us all leave this room, which reeks of gunpowder and holds unpleasant associations. Come, Miss Amelia, let me offer you my arm.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I need no assistance. Perhaps a cup of tea…”
Evelyn and I had tea. The gentlemen had something stronger. Lucas was the only one who seemed normal; he kept speculating as to how the serpent got into the tomb.
“No doubt it crawled within during the night,” he said.
“I wonder why I didn’t see it earlier,” I said. “I must have disturbed it when I flung myself down to sleep.”
“Because it was not on the cot then,” Lucas replied. “It was curled in a corner, and crept onto your bed later. It was fortunate that Emerson came in when he did; if you had awakened and moved about—”
“Enough of this,” I interrupted. “The thing is over and done with. In the meantime, the sun is setting. We have yet to decide what we are going to do tonight.”
“I have decided.” It was Evelyn who spoke. We all turned to look at her as she rose slowly from her chair. Her face was as white and set as that of a marble statue; but unconquerable resolution shone in her eyes.
“I accept Lord Ellesmere’s proposal of marriage,” she went on. “He and I will leave here now—this moment. Tomorrow at dawn we will sail for Cairo.”
Utter silence followed. It was broken by Walter. He leaped to his feet with an unintelligible cry; dark, dusky color stained his cheeks. Lucas also rose. His slow, deliberate moments and the smile that spread across nis face had an insolent triumph that infuriated me.
“I am, of course, the happiest man in the world,” he said coolly. “Although I could have wished, my darling, that you had not chosen to accept me quite so publicly. However, if that is what you prefer…”
Before