The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters [136]
‘Now, now,’ I said, waving Walter back into his chair. ‘I believe the question was not meant as an insult but as an expression of incredulity. My husband, Sir Edward, is utterly fearless – for himself. We are dealing here, not with a motley lot of barefoot Arabs, but with at least two gangs of ruthless, well-organized criminals.’
Sir Edward was staring again. I went on to explain (for as the Reader may have realized, I had determined on a new strategy, whose details will become evident as I proceed). The young man’s stupefied expression betrayed some evidence of intelligence when I mentioned Riccetti.
‘I have heard of the fellow,’ he admitted. ‘And some unpleasant stories about him. If he is one of the people involved –’
‘He is. No more of this now,’ I added, as I saw Emerson returning.
Sir Edward nodded. There was only time for him to say, ‘Count on me, Mrs Emerson. In all ways and at any time.’
Emerson was his old self again – cheerful, enthusiastic and autocratic. He began rattling off instructions. ‘I want a hundred photographs of that room before we touch a single scrap. No, I have not removed my ban on artificial lighting, we will use reflectors. I have managed it before under circumstances almost as difficult. We’ll have to get you and your gear up on top of the sarcophagus, Sir Edward. Go back to Luxor immediately and bring more plates, you haven’t nearly enough. And more reflectors.’
‘Let him finish his luncheon, Emerson,’ I said. ‘There is no need for haste now.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Emerson, but I have finished.’ Sir Edward rose. ‘Excuse me, sir, but if I may ask . . . I thought you didn’t want anyone moving about in the room. I don’t see how I can get to the sarcophagus without wading through the debris.’
Emerson studied him thoughtfully. ‘How are you at trapeze work?’
‘He is just making one of his little jokes,’ I explained to the astonished young man.
‘I had considered the possibility,’ Emerson said calmly. ‘However, I believe we can run a ramp from the doorway to the top of the sarcophagus. You will have to be careful, Sir Edward: if you slip and fall off onto my antiquities, I will murder you.’
‘Yes, sir. I will return as quickly as possible, Professor.’
Emerson, devouring cucumber sandwiches, waved him away. Evelyn, who had been looking at the solitary figure sitting crosslegged in the shade, said, ‘I will take David his lunch and sit with him awhile.’
‘Bring him here,’ Emerson said.
‘But you said –’ Ramses began.
‘There is no hope of keeping this secret now,’ Emerson said. ‘If we had proceeded according to the original plan, we might have been able to keep it under wraps for a day or so, but our forthcoming activities will unquestionably be noticed. I will tell the boy myself – as much as I must.’
Ramses jumped up. ‘I will fetch him, Aunt Evelyn.’
I must give Emerson credit for more craftiness than I had expected from him. He put the case to David in such a way as to imply that he was one of a chosen few to be honoured with our confidence. His peroration, though somewhat florid, was a masterpiece of persuasive rhetoric.
‘There is danger still, to you and to us. Have no fear; I will protect you as I would my son. And you will watch over him – your brother and your friend. Is it not so?’
David moved his hand in a curious gesture; I could not make out whether he was crossing himself in the Christian fashion or performing the classic Arabic salutation. He spoke in English. ‘It is so, Father of Curses.’
‘Good,’ said Emerson, in the same language. Rising to his feet, hands on his hips, he looked us over one by one and smiled. ‘Let’s get at it, then.’
XII
It Is Better to Have a Demon As a Friend Than an Enemy
‘OBVIOUSLY,’ I said to Evelyn, ‘we must take steps at once to render our enemies impotent.’
The shadows of evening stretched across the ground as we rode side by side towards the Amelia. Behind us lay the hills and the desert plain; ahead and