Death Comes as End - Agatha Christie [64]
‘Really, Esa, I protest–this is disgraceful…’
Esa cut him short.
‘I have made no accusation–I do not accuse without proof. I ask only that Henet shall explain to us here the meaning of certain things she has said.’
‘I have said nothing–nothing at all…’
‘Oh yes, you have,’ said Esa. ‘There are words I heard with my own ears–and my ears are sharp even if my eyes are dim. You said that you knew something about Hori. Now what is it that you know about Hori?’
Hori looked slightly surprised.
‘Yes, Henet,’ he said. ‘What do you know about me? Let us have it.’
Henet sat back on her haunches and wiped her eyes. She looked sullen and defiant.
‘I know nothing,’ she said. ‘What should I know?’
‘That is what we are waiting for you to tell us,’ said Hori. Henet shrugged her shoulders.
‘I was just talking. I meant nothing.’
Esa said: ‘I will repeat to you your own words. You said that we all despised you, but that you knew a lot of what was going on in this house–and that you saw more than many clever people saw.
‘And then you said this–that when Hori met you, he looked at you as though you didn’t exist, as though he saw something behind you–something that wasn’t there.’
‘He always looks like that,’ said Henet sullenly. ‘I might be an insect, the way he looks at me–something that practically doesn’t matter.’
Esa said slowly:
‘That phrase has remained in my mind–something behind–something that wasn’t there. Henet said, “He should have looked at me.” And she went on to speak of Satipy–yes, of Satipy–and of how Satipy was clever, but where was Satipy now?…’
Esa looked round.
‘Does that mean nothing to any of you? Think of Satipy–Satipy who is dead…And remember one should look at a person–not at something that isn’t there…’
There was a moment’s dead silence and then Henet screamed. It was a high, thin scream–a scream, it would seem, of sheer terror. She cried out incoherently:
‘I didn’t–save me–master, don’t let her…I’ve said nothing–nothing.’
Imhotep’s pent up rage burst out.
‘This is unpardonable,’ he roared. ‘I will not have this poor woman terrified and accused. What have you against her? By your own words, nothing at all.’
Yahmose joined in without his usual timidity.
‘My father is right. If you have a definite accusation to bring against Henet, bring it.’
‘I do not accuse her,’ said Esa slowly.
She leaned on her stick. Her figure seemed to have shrunk. She spoke slowly and heavily.
Yahmose turned with authority to Henet.
‘Esa is not accusing you of causing the evils that have happened, but if I understand her rightly, she thinks that you have certain knowledge which you are withholding. Therefore, Henet, if there is anything you know, about Hori or another, now is the time to speak. Here, before us all. Speak. What knowledge have you?’
Henet shook her head.
‘None.’
‘Be very sure of what you are saying, Henet. Knowledge is dangerous.’
‘I know nothing. I swear it. I swear it by the Nine Gods of the Ennead, by the Goddess Maat, by Ra himself.’
Henet was trembling. Her voice had none of its usual whining affected quality. It sounded awed and sincere.
Esa gave a deep sigh. Her figure bent forward. She murmured:
‘Help me back to my room.’
Hori and Renisenb came quickly to her.
Esa said: ‘Not you, Renisenb. I will have Hori.’
She leaned on him as he helped her from the room towards her own quarters. Glancing up at him she saw his face was stern and unhappy.
She murmured: ‘Well, Hori?’
‘You have been unwise, Esa, very unwise.’
‘I had to know.’
‘Yes–but you have taken a terrible risk.’
‘I see. So you too think the same?’
‘I have thought so for some time, but there is no proof–no shadow of proof. And even now, Esa, you have no proof. It is all in your mind.’
‘It is enough that I know.’
‘It may be too much.’
‘What do you mean? Oh yes, of course.’
‘Guard yourself, Esa. From now on you are in danger.’
‘We must try and act quickly.’
‘That, yes, but what can we do? There must be proof.