The Serpent on the Crown - Elizabeth Peters [53]
“Not at all, Mrs. Emerson.” The gentleman, who had risen when I entered, resumed his seat. “It is for me to apologize for the intrusion. I would have explained my reason for coming had not your husband suggested we wait until you returned.”
Now that I had the opportunity to inspect him closely, I saw that Sethos’s masquerade had not been exact. Sir Malcolm’s chin was longer and his hairline more receding. However, the resemblance was close enough to have deceived Wasim, who must have taken the newcomer for the same man he had seen with us earlier, wearing the same overly fashionable sort of suit and carrying the same silver-headed stick.
“Proceed, if you will, please,” I said.
“It is simply told.” Sir Malcolm leaned forward, hands clasped tightly round his cane. “I wish to make an offer for the statuette Mrs. Petherick gave you. I will pay any reasonable price.”
“Sight unseen?” Ramses inquired, his heavy brows tilting.
Emerson had been slow to recover from Sir Malcolm’s unexpected appearance. Now he got his wits together.
“Ah, but he’s seen it before,” he said. “Haven’t you? When and where?”
“That is irrelevant, Professor Emerson.”
“No, it isn’t,” retorted Emerson, now fully himself again. Nothing annoys him so much as well-bred insolence. “I refuse even to discuss the matter until you answer my questions. Was it in Mr. Petherick’s collection when you saw it?”
“No.” Sir Malcolm looked warily at Carla, who had joined her brother. The intent gaze of blue eyes and black seemed to disconcert him even more than Emerson’s bluntness. “I was offered the piece two years ago by a dealer in London. Unfortunately, Petherick got in ahead of me.”
“The name of the dealer?”
“Aslanian.”
“Ah. Where did he obtain it?”
“I did not ask. There are unwritten rules about such transactions.”
“So I have been told,” said Emerson, sneering. “So you know nothing more about its origins?”
“No.” Sir Malcolm hesitated. “One can, of course, make certain deductions. You, experts that you are, have no doubt made them.”
His tone was more conciliatory, but it had no effect on Emerson, who was now anxious to rid himself of the visitor. “We have. As for the statuette, it is not mine to dispose of. The legal owner would appear to be Mrs. Petherick.”
“But she gave it to you. And the confounded—er—excuse me, ladies—the woman has taken herself off.”
“She left it in my keeping,” Emerson corrected. “I am not the man, sir, to take advantage of a distracted female. When she turns up I will discuss the matter with her. I should warn you, however, that you are not the only one interested in the piece.”
“Vandergelt,” Sir Malcolm muttered. It had the ring of a swearword. “Do Carter and Carnarvon know of it?”
“Carter is due in Cairo before long,” said Emerson, who was beginning to enjoy himself. “I suggest you ask him.”
“Will you have another cup of tea, Sir Malcolm?” I asked.
“I haven’t had one yet, Mrs. Emerson.”
“Oh dear. Nefret, didn’t you—”
“I did offer,” said Nefret. “I don’t believe Sir Malcolm heard me.”
“I was distracted by your daughter snapping at my hand.” The gentleman bit off the words. “I will not take tea, Mrs. Emerson, thank you.”
He stalked to the door. He was in something of a temper—not surprising, considering the provocation—so much so that he had forgotten the dog. It barked hopefully. Sir Malcolm shied back. “Will someone kindly remove this beast?”
“It won’t hurt you,” Nefret said. (I suspected she was hoping Amira would knock him down and get his nice suit dusty.)
“I am not inclined to take your word, madam.”
“Oh, very well.” Nefret slipped out and caught hold of Amira’s collar. “Come ahead, Sir Malcolm.”
The dog paid no attention to Sir Malcolm, being preoccupied with licking Nefret’s hands. Before leaving, he turned and hurled a sentence sharp as a spear. “You haven’t seen the last of me!”
“Have we?” Emerson inquired of me.
“When I last saw—er—you know who I mean—he was in the process of altering his appearance. Heaven only knows what he’ll look like now.” I knew he would have black hair, but I saw no reason to mention