The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters [73]
‘No need,’ Emerson replied, smacking a boiled egg against a convenient rock. ‘Our fellows will be here below. If anyone tries to slide down that rope they will hear him, and . . . Well, I would not care to be in his position. Now then, Peabody, tell me the news.
How is David? Did you telegraph Maspero and send messages to the others?’
It was like him to ask first after the sick boy. With an affectionate smile I reassured him as to David’s condition, and went on, ‘The most amazing thing, Emerson. When I went to the telegraph office, I found a message from Walter. He must have sent it moments after our telegrams arrived.’
‘They are coming, then?’
‘They intend to leave today. What on earth did you tell them? Walter’s mention of “deep concern” could hardly have referred to the tomb.’
‘I told them Ramses was ill,’ Emerson said calmly. ‘And that you were in a state of intense depression.’
‘Emerson, how could you?’
‘I do not scruple to employ drastic measures when they are required, Peabody. In this case they were required.’ He popped another egg into his mouth and, speech being beyond him at that moment, gestured inquiringly.
‘Oh, dear,’ I murmured. ‘Poor Evelyn; what a state she will be in. Well, there is nothing I can do about it now. As you requested, I left a message for Sir Edward repeating our invitation to dinner.’
Emerson swallowed. ‘Curse it, Peabody, I told you to get him over here immediately. I want a complete photographic record of our work, from start to finish.’
‘Then why didn’t you wait before moving those rocks? The original appearance –’
‘The boulders are a natural phenomenon. I am speaking of –’
‘How do you know they weren’t deliberately placed there? Such information –’
‘Because I examined the damned things!’ Emerson shouted. ‘They could not have been –’
‘Emerson, will you please stop –’
‘Peabody, if you continue to –’
Realizing I was on the verge of behaving in an undignified manner, I stopped speaking. Emerson stopped speaking because he had run out of breath. Ramses, who had been waiting for a lull in the conversation, said only, ‘Ouch!’ because Nefret, rising, had stamped on his foot.
‘I am so sorry, Ramses,’ she exclaimed. ‘How clumsy of me! I have got quite stiff sitting on this rock. Professor, I brought my new pocket camera. Its scope is limited, of course, but if you like, I will try a few photographs.’
‘Oh, have you one of those?’ Howard exclaimed. ‘So do I. It does quite well out-of-doors, with a bright sun, but in shadow or darkness –’
‘That is a problem we will have to work out,’ Emerson declared. ‘I believe reflectors will do the job. Go ahead, Nefret, and see what you can get.’
Nursing his foot, Ramses remarked, ‘Sir, you said we could enter the tomb after Mother came.’
‘Mother and Nefret,’ said that young person, with a sweet smile at Emerson.
‘It is a difficult climb,’ Ramses protested. ‘Even with a rope.’
‘And how do you know that?’ Nefret demanded. ‘Have you tried it? You were told to wait.’
‘Never fear, Miss Nefret,’ said Howard, with an admiring glance at her flushed, indignant face. ‘We’ll get you in by one means or another.’
‘There will be no difficulty.’ Emerson got to his feet and stretched. ‘I set Mohammed to work earlier constructing a rope ladder. I will take it with me when I ascend the rope, and anchor it firmly. The rest of you can follow – two at a time, the space is limited.’
Abdullah, who had known better than to try to get a word in, cleared his throat. ‘I will go first, Emerson, and carry the rope ladder.’
Emerson gave him a companionable grin. ‘Wait your turn, Abdullah. First Ramses and . . . er . . . no, ladies first. You and Nefret, Peabody, then Ramses and Carter, then . . . Excuse me, Miss Marmaduke, I did not mean to overlook you.’
She had made it easy for him to do so. Seated a little distance away from the rest of us, head bowed and hands folded like a humble governess in polite company, she had not said a word. Now she looked up.
‘It is kind of you to think of me, sir. I yearn to see that wonderful place, but I would rather not behold