The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters [125]
I was sadly short of breath, with agitation as well as exertion, when I saw before me, encrimsoned by the sunset light, an unmoving and monolithic form. It was Emerson, sitting on a rock.
‘Ah,’ he said, as we came panting up to him. ‘There you are, Peabody. I rather expected you would turn up before long, though I clung to the forlorn hope that you would have sense enough to go back with Vandergelt.’
The reproaches that hovered on my lips, awaiting breath enough to pronounce them, were never voiced. I had seldom seen even Emerson in such a state of disarray. His hands were bleeding and his shirt was ripped half off him.
‘Curse it, Emerson, what the devil have you been doing?’ I gasped.
‘Language, Peabody. Sit down and catch your breath.’
‘Excuse me, sir, but is it wise to remain here?’ Sir Edward inquired. ‘You appear to have had some trouble.’
‘Trouble? Not in the least. I banged myself up a bit descending that ladder in too great haste. Unfortunately I was not hasty enough. They got away.’
‘Ladder?’ I started to rise.
Emerson put his hand on my shoulder and held me in place. ‘You will see it soon enough, my dear, unless you decide to go round the long way. So much for your mysterious secret passages, eh? It is quite a well constructed rope ladder, and it has probably been used several times – for one thing, to put the hippopotamus statue in the tomb.’
‘But you said there was no need to guard the upper entrance.’
‘Hmm, yes, well, it appears I was wrong. What I failed to take into account was the confounded religious element. During Ramadan even our men are tired and less alert by the end of the day. As soon as the sun goes down they begin eating and drinking and relaxing. The small sounds made by someone descending would be unheard or taken for natural noises.’
Ramses returned from the edge of the descent. ‘They arranged it rather ingeniously, don’t you think, Father? The supports are inconspicuous but sturdy; the ladder could be put in place and removed quickly.’
I was amused to observe that Sir Edward, normally so cool and imperturbable, was beginning to show signs of perturbation. ‘Sir – with all respect – it is getting dark, and the return trip across the plateau will be difficult for the ladies –’
‘What ladies?’ Emerson grinned at me and put an affectionate arm around Nefret, who was sitting next him on the other side. ‘But perhaps you are right, we ought to be getting back. Will you go first, Peabody?’
‘If you will permit me, Father . . .’ Ramses was already on the ladder.
‘Gallantry is not required, Ramses,’ said his father, with a laugh. ‘The thieves are long since departed, and there is no one below except our men. But go ahead. I left a candle burning at the entrance of the tomb, where the ladder ends. You might wait there for Nefret.’
Again I demanded explanations, and while we waited for the children to make the descent, Emerson condescended to give me a brief account. ‘It had occurred to me that perhaps I ought to have a look round up here, so I came this way, meaning to descend, you know, by one of the paths a little farther along. They had posted a lookout. He saw me coming; the first I knew of his presence was when he called out a warning. He was on the ladder and halfway down before I got here, and although I went after him immediately, I was just too late. The others must have rushed out of the tomb and gone pelting down the stairs; there were enough of them to burst through our guards and bolt. They knocked poor old Abdullah flat and cut Daoud up a bit.’
‘Are you certain they are all right?’ I asked anxiously.
‘Oh, yes. Except for being extremely embarrassed. I have been up and down several times, which accounts for my improper appearance. Now then, Peabody, off you go.’
He assisted me onto the ladder and addressed Sir Edward. ‘I don’t want to leave the ladder here. Unhook it and bring it with you.’
Sir