Tomb of the Golden Bird - Elizabeth Peters [35]
On the other hand, if Emerson had been in charge, Howard would have been relegated to a subordinate role, and the glory, if glory there should be, would be Emerson’s. It may have been this realization that consoled Howard. He sounded almost cheerful when he directed his crew to begin filling in the stairwell.
“We will leave you to it, then,” I said. “Congratulations, Howard.”
“A bit premature, perhaps,” said Emerson. “The necropolis seals indicate that it was the burial of a person of importance, but the dimensions of the stairwell are not those of a royal tomb.”
“Never mind,” I said, giving Emerson a little nudge with my elbow. “It is a tomb and it has not been entered for thousands of years. Just think, Howard, you have stolen a march on our tomb-robbing friends from Gurneh. They are only too often the first to find a new tomb.”
“You are babbling, Peabody,” said Emerson, taking me by the arm. “Time we went home. Didn’t you ask the Vandergelts to dine this evening? Speaking of tomb robbers, Carter, two of the ibn Simsahs were among the spectators this afternoon. Hope springs eternal in the breasts of those bastards.”
“I saw them too,” said Howard somewhat huffily. “They can hope all they like, but there isn’t a chance they can dig through the fill in the stairwell and the corridor without being caught in the act.”
“Hmph.” Thus Emerson conceded the point.
“Will you join us for dinner, Howard, after you have finished here?” I asked.
“No, thank you, ma’am, it is most kind, but I am going straight to bed. As you so neatly put it, this has been quite a day.”
The tourists had departed and ours were the only horses left in the donkey park. Emerson helped me to mount, and as we rode slowly homeward, I said, “Emerson, you have done nothing except grunt today.”
“Not true,” said Emerson, stung. “I gave Carter a good deal of useful advice.”
“‘Discouraging’ is the adjective I would choose. Howard has made a remarkable discovery, and the signs are propitious. Why can’t you admit it?”
“Hmph,” said Emerson.
CHAPTER THREE
BY THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON THE CONTENTS OF THE CABLE CARTER had dispatched to Lord Carnarvon was known to all the informed citizens of Luxor. Foremost among these was Daoud, who quoted the cable to us verbatim. “At last have made wonderful discovery in the Valley. A magnificent tomb with seals intact.”
“How does he know it is magnificent?” Emerson grumbled, when Daoud reported this to him.
“There will be much gold,” said Daoud with complete conviction. “The golden bird of Mr. Carter is an omen of good luck.”
This was the common opinion in Luxor. Even Emerson admitted there was no need to place extra guards at the tomb. Its entrance had been filled in and the passage was still blocked.
“Even if they bribed the guards, they would have to finish the whole job in a single night. Anyhow,” he added morosely, “we still don’t know what is down there. The tomb may be empty.”
“Quite right,” I agreed. “Since there is nothing to be done until Lord Carnarvon arrives, perhaps you will consider turning your attention to our work. Shall I invite Mlle. Malraux and Mr. Farid to visit us here, or will you go to Cairo to interview them?”
Emerson gave me a blank look. “Who?”
I reminded him of the identity of the persons I had mentioned. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“A woman and an Egyptian,” he said. “I was under the impression that we would seek the most qualified persons and not be influenced by your socialist theories.”
“The word ‘socialist’ is ill chosen, Emerson. If you are referring to my sentiments on the subject of discrimination against females and non-Europeans, I got them from you.”
“Hmph,” said Emerson, stroking his chin.
“These young people are at least as well qualified as their competitors,” I went on, warming to the subject. “And less likely to find employment in a profession which, like most, is dominated by arrogant men. I am only proposing to level the playing field, in whatever