The Mummy Case - Elizabeth Peters [139]
John was sure his heart was broken. He went about for weeks with his large brown hand pressed to the precise center of his breast, where he erroneously believed that organ was located. However, one of the housemaids is a charming girl, with mouse-brown hair and a dimple in her cheek, and I begin to detect signs of convalescence.
We left Egypt in March and returned to England to greet our newest nephew. Mother and infant survived the ordeal in excellent condition. We had uncovered the substructure of our pyramid before we left, and although no remarkable discoveries were made I became quite attached to the place. I was able to abandon it with equanimity, however, since de Morgan had offered us the firman for Dahshoor the following year. He was not very gracious about it, but that was of small concern to me. That half-submerged chamber in the heart of the Black Pyramid—I felt sure that under the dark water something fascinating awaited us.
It was not until after we had returned to England that we learned of de Morgan’s remarkable discovery of the jewels of the princesses, near the pyramid of Senusret III. It was featured in the Illustrated London News, with a flattering engraving of de Morgan, mustache and all, holding up the crown of Princess Khnumit before the audience he had invited to admire his discovery. I could not but agree with Emerson when he flung the paper aside with a critical “These Frenchmen will do anything to get in the newspaper.”
One of the necklaces on the mummy of the princess bore striking resemblance to the one Ramses had found. I remembered the long conversation between Ramses and de Morgan; the sudden concession of the Frenchman to our wishes; and I wondered….
The lion seems to have settled in very nicely at Chalfont. Walter has suggested we bring back a young female next time.
About the Author
ELIZABETH PETERS was born and brought up in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago’s famed Oriental Institute. Peters was named Grandmaster at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986, and Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar® Awards in 1998. She lives in an historic farmhouse in western Maryland. Visit her websites at www.mpmbooks.com and www.ameliapeabody.com.
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Resounding praise for New York Times
bestselling author
ELIZABETH PETERS
AND
THE MUMMY CASE
“Amelia Peabody Emerson, archaeologist extraordinaire, and arguably the most potent female force to hit Egypt since Cleopatra, is digging again!”
Philadelphia Inquirer
“Elizabeth Peters returns triumphantly…Fascinating…The skillful way she blends humor and suspense really makes this an enjoyable tale.”
United Press International
“Amelia is rather like Indiana Jones, Sherlock Holmes, and Miss Marple all rolled into one.”
Washington Post Book World
“Fun seems to be guaranteed whenever the prolific Peters brings Amelia Peabody back for another nineteenth-century mix of archaeology, comedy, and murder mystery.”
Kirkus Reviews
“This author never fails to entertain.”
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“The Mummy Case should have you rolling in the Nile with laughter.”
New York Times Book Review
Books by Elizabeth Peters
TOMB OF THE GOLDEN BIRD*
THE SERPENT ON THE CROWN*
GUARDIAN OF THE HORIZON* • CHILDREN OF THE STORM*
THE GOLDEN ONE* • LORD OF THE SILENT*
HE SHALL THUNDER IN THE SKY*
THE FALCON AT THE PORTAL*
THE APE WHO GUARDS THE BALANCE*
SEEING A LARGE CAT* • THE HIPPOPOTAMUS POOL*
NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS
THE SNAKE, THE CROCODILE AND THE DOG*
THE LAST CAMEL DIED AT NOON* • NAKED ONCE MORE
THE DEEDS OF THE DISTURBER* • TROJAN GOLD
LION IN THE VALLEY* • THE MUMMY CASE*
DIE FOR LOVE • SILHOUETTE IN SCARLET
THE COPENHAGEN CONNECTION
THE CURSE OF THE PHARAOHS*
THE LOVE TALKER • SUMMER OF THE DRAGON
STREET OF THE FIVE MOONS • DEVIL-MAY-CARE
LEGEND IN GREEN VELVET
CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK*
THE MURDERS OF RICHARD III
BORROWER OF THE NIGHT • THE SEVENTH