Tomb of the Golden Bird - Elizabeth Peters [45]
“Oh, please, Mrs. Emerson, do not be so formal.” The girl’s eyes widened alarmingly, but I decided she was only attempting to indicate goodwill. “I hope you—all of you—will call me Suzanne.”
A murmur from Mr. Farid included a pair of syllables that sounded like a name. “Suzanne and Nadji, then,” I said with a smile.
Having dealt with the immediate problems caused by Emerson’s lack of consideration, I invited the young people to join us for luncheon, it being almost time for that meal. My motives were part hospitality, part cowardice. I had given some consideration as to how to break the news of his brother’s presence to Emerson and had come to the conclusion that there really was no way of doing it tactfully. This enabled me to delay the revelation a little longer.
The young lady bubbled with Gallic enthusiasm about the house and its arrangements. “I had glimpses of a beautiful garden, Mrs. Emerson. May I hope for a stroll later? I am exceedingly fond of flowers.”
“You will have ample time to enjoy the garden in the weeks to come,” I replied. “I am sorry we were unable to ask you to stay with us, but we are constantly in and out of one another’s houses, and Mr. Vandergelt’s home is much more elegant than ours.”
“What is the news from Cairo?” Ramses asked, knowing Emerson was about to tell us anyhow.
“Carter is there, and Carnarvon is on his way,” said Emerson. As far as he was concerned, there was only one matter of interest in Cairo. “By chance I happened to run into Carter—What did you say, Peabody?”
“Nothing, my dear. Do go on.”
“That’s all,” Emerson said grumpily. “Except that Carter has been calling on all his friends, dropping veiled hints and looking mysterious when they ask questions. Fine way to keep his discovery secret.”
“Why should he?” I asked. “The wire he sent Lord Carnarvon was known to all of Luxor, and I expect his lordship has confided in a number of his friends, who have confided in their friends. There is no keeping such things secret.”
“The archaeological community is abuzz with rumors,” Suzanne said. “Is it true, Mrs. Emerson? That Mr. Carter has found a new unrobbed tomb? The Professor wouldn’t tell us anything.”
“Said I wouldn’t,” Emerson grunted, attacking his food with vigor. “I keep to my word.”
Nadji, who had spoken very little, looked up. His English was excellent, with only the slightest trace of an Egyptian accent. “The word had got round before your arrival, sir. You have nothing with which to reproach yourself.”
“But you have actually seen the tomb,” Suzanne exclaimed, her eyes popping. “Please tell us. It can’t be kept secret for long, can it?”
“I only hope Howard has not raised Lord Carnarvon’s expectations too high,” I replied. Then, seeing no reason to remain discreet when Howard and Carnarvon had not done so, I went on. “Thus far he has found a sealed doorway, with what appears to be a blocked passage behind it. The signs are hopeful, but one never knows, does one? I expect we won’t have to wait long, though. Carnarvon will surely wish to press on to Luxor as soon as possible.”
Ramses said to his father, “Callender is here.”
“Pecky Callender? What the devil for? He’s no Egyptologist.”
“But he is a trusted friend of Carter’s. I believe he has been instructed to prepare for Carnarvon’s arrival.”
Emerson scowled darkly. I knew what he was thinking; I always do. He had offered his services, which had not been accepted. It was a snub, and I felt for him. All the more since he was due for an even more painful shock.
We had just finished luncheon when the reply to my note to Katherine came, expressing her pleasure at receiving the two new members of our staff, and inviting us to dine that evening. She had sent the Vandergelts’ carriage for them and their luggage.
“We will see you tonight at dinner,” I said. “No, Emerson, there is no need for you to accompany them, they will want to have a little rest this afternoon.”
“I