The Deeds of the Disturber - Elizabeth Peters [166]
‘From then on Cuff and I worked together. It was Cuff who learned of the bizarre ceremony planned for that fateful night. One of the Egyptian thugs hired for the occasion had participated in other such events, and he bragged of it to a ladyfriend, who told another friend, who told another – who was one of Cuff’s informants. I committed an unforgivable act of treachery, my darling Peabody, when I locked you in our room that day; but I was in a deuced uncomfortable dilemma, between the demands of Cuff and the Crown for absolute secrecy, and my suspicion that something damnable was likely to occur in that den of iniquity. And yet, do you know, Peabody, somehow I wasn’t surprised to see you come stumbling down those stairs. I might have known your brilliant, incisive mind would solve the puzzle.’
‘All’s well that ends well,’ I said cheerfully. ‘So you saw her again today, and she gave you the emerald as a token of appreciation?’
‘Better than a knighthood.’ Emerson chuckled. ‘I will have the ring cut down for you, Peabody.’
‘Thank you, my dear Emerson. I accept, since I cannot imagine you flaunting emeralds on your person.’
‘And also,’ said Emerson fiercely, ‘because the credit is as much yours as mine. You know, Peabody, I never speak ill of a woman, and she is elderly, and deserving of respect on that account at least, but . . . but . . . She really is so confounded dull, Peabody! She thinks herself capable of ruling an empire, but denigrates all other women. Even you, my dear. I told her we always worked together, but she . . .’
‘Never mind, Emerson. Your righteous indignation on my behalf, and that of all women, means far more to me than any token from that source. And, my dear, you were able to assure her that the young man was – was –’
‘Hmph,’ said Emerson. ‘It is difficult to find an appropriate word, is it not? Hardly innocent . . . but he was innocent of murder, Peabody. And at the end he proved himself worthy of his lineage and his name. I saw nothing wrong in glossing over a few of the more unsavoury details.’
‘And you were quite right, Emerson.’
‘I am glad you agree, Peabody, because if you didn’t you would tell me so in no uncertain terms. Now then – what about that whiskey and soda?’
ENDNOTES
1. Lion in the Valley.
2. Lion in the Valley.
3. The Curse of the Pharaohs.
4. The Mummy Case.
5. Lion in the Valley.