Guardian of the Horizon - Elizabeth Peters [153]
“An excellent disguise,” I said. “Especially the ears. But you were not the man we met at Gebel Barkal, were you? His eyes were dark brown and he was several inches shorter.”
“It is a classic technique,” said Sethos. His breath came hard, but it would have taken more than discomfort to prevent Sethos from boasting. “You had determined I was not MacFerguson, so the next time MacFerguson turned up you would take him at face value.”
“Not I.”
“No, not you. That was a filthy trick, Amelia, luring me out of hiding because of my tender concern for you. Are you going to expose me to Emerson?”
“Not if I can help it. He would be bent on killing you, which would be a distraction.”
“And not at all useful,” Sethos muttered. “We are on the same side, Amelia. I am as anxious as you to restore Tarek to the throne.”
“Such altruism is unlike you,” I said skeptically.
“Altruism be damned. Tarek and I got on famously. We had quite a nice little arrangement, which worked to our mutual satisfaction. This new fellow is trying to cheat me.”
His indignation was so genuine it brought a smile to my lips. “So you are willing to restore the rightful king in order to promote your business affairs? I am prepared to believe that. How long have you been dealing with Tarek?”
“It would take too long to explain. If you don’t want Emerson to discover my identity, you had better let me go.” He felt gingerly of his left ear. “It’s coming loose.”
“First we must come to an agreement.”
“What do you want from me?”
“Nefret. Away from the shrine and safe with Tarek.”
“Hmmm.” Sethos went on fiddling with his ear. “I presume it was Ramses who carried Daria off? He must have climbed the cliff, there’s no other way. Just like him to try such a fool stunt.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“Good God, no. I have no head for heights. Anyhow, Nefret is more closely guarded. What did he do with…the girl?”
“He said he intended to take her to Tarek. Why do you ask?”
“Idle curiosity. Very well, supposing I can remove Nefret, which will be no small feat even for me—”
“Oh, I feel certain your ingenuity will provide a way.”
“I haven’t entirely wasted my time,” said Sethos—the implication being that I had! “Then what?”
“Then Emerson and I appear at the ceremony, denounce the usurper and take him prisoner, and Tarek marches triumphantly into a city won over to his cause by our eloquence and Emerson’s prestige.”
Sethos emitted a series of sputtering noises. “The plan is subject to revision as circumstances demand,” I added.
“I should think so indeed,” Sethos said in broken tones.
Emerson’s head appeared between the curtains. “Time’s up, Amelia.”
“A few more minutes, Emerson, if you please. He is cracking.”
Emerson growled and withdrew.
“How did you get in here?” I asked.
“You haven’t found the entrance to the underground passages? I thought surely your ingenious son—”
“Don’t do that,” I said irritably but softly. “We have no time to waste. Just answer my questions. Er—Ramses did find the entrance, but was unable to open it.”
“Not surprising, since it was bolted from the other side.”
I thought of several bad names to call him, but stuck doggedly to the point. “How many of the tombs have you looted?”
“One or two.”
“One or two hundred, you mean. So you know your way through the tunnels?”
“Fairly well,” Sethos said cautiously. “What did you have in mind?”
Emerson thrust the curtains aside. “My patience is at an end,” he announced. “Has the bastard confessed?”
“The—er—gentleman has agreed to help us,” I corrected. “He is going to show me the entrance to the subterranean regions and assist us in delivering Nefret. Mr. MacFerguson, one of the tunnels leads to the rooms of the High Priestess. No doubt you are familiar with that route?”
Sethos grunted. I took it for agreement. “I will ask to see Nefret again tomorrow,” I went on. “And tell her that if she can elude her attendants long enough