The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog - Elizabeth Peters [72]
Uncle Walter, I regret to report, scoffed at my claim that the fellow’s behavior roused the direst suspicions as to his motives for being there. AfterPapa’s telegram arrived, however, Uncle Walter was gentlemanly enough to apologize and intelligent enough to reconsider the case. After a council of war we determined to take defensive measures. As I pointed out, it was safer to err on the side of excess than to fail from lack of caution.
Aunt Evelyn wanted to call the constable. She is a very kind person, but not practical. Uncle Walter and I persuaded her that we had no grounds for requesting official assistance, and that in order to convince officialdom of the validity of our reasons for concern we would have to disclose matters we had sworn to keep secret. Our defensive force, therefore, consists of the following:
1. Gargery. He was very pleased to be asked.
2. Bob and Jerry. As you know, they are the strongest of the footmen, and familiar with our habits. You will recall that Bob was of great assistance in our attack on Mauldy Manor, when I was fortunate enough to effect your escape from the dungeon. *
3. Inspector Cuff. I should say, “former Inspector Cuff,” since he has retired from the force and is growing roses in Dorking. I spoke to him personally on the telephone (a most useful device; we must install one at Amarna House), and after he stopped sputtering and listened to what I had to say he was persuaded to join us. I believe he is bored with roses. Do not fear, Mama and Papa, we did not disclose the SECRET. I flatter myself that the Inspector has enough confidence in my humble self to believe my assurance that the matter is serious. Uncle Walter’s confirmation was of some small assistance in this regard.
It was fortunate (or, if you will permit me to say so, farsighted) that these measures were instituted; for Inspector Cuff, the last to arrive, had not been in the house twenty-four hours before the anticipated attack occurred.
It came about in this wise.
Finally! I thought, turning the page—and ground my teeth when instead of telling me what I ached to know, Ramses went off on another tangent.
If I have not mentioned Nefret you may be certain it is not because she was inactive or deficient in courage and intelligence. She is… [Here several words had been scratched out. Either Ramses’s vocabulary had been inadequate to express his feelings, or he had repented of having expressed those feelings so openly.] She is a remarkable person. She… But perhaps an account of what occurred will demonstrate her qualities more effectively than mere words of mine could do.
I had anticipated—erroneously, as it turned out, but not without reason—that Nefret would be the person most in need of protection. For, if Papa’s hints in his telegram and my own deductions based on those hints were correct, she was the one most directly connected with the aforesaid SECRET. It is true that my theory ignored the fact that the disheveled gentleman had apparently been intent on seizing ME, so perhaps chivalry had clouded my ordinarily acute reasoning powers. I once remember thinking that being a little gentleman seemed more trouble than it was worth. The incident I am about to relate confirmed that opinion, as you will see.
“I certainly hope so,” I muttered, wishing I had the little “gentleman” with me so I could shake him and force him to get to the point.
Nefret had set out in the carriage that day as usual, to go to the vicarage for a Latin lesson and religious instruction. She was attended not only by Gargery, who insisted on driving, but by Bob and Jerry as well. Uncle Walter felt this would be protection enough, but I had a certain foreboding (such as Mama often has) about the expedition, and so I took one of the horses and went after them, remaining