elizabethpeters.thegoldenone-第57章

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　〃With　one　arm　in　a　cast；〃　said　Ramses　under　his　breath。
　Emerson　inspected　the　cast　irritably。　〃I　don't　see　why　I　need　it。　My　arm　itches　like　fury。　Nefret　…〃
　〃No；　Father。　Absolutely　not。〃　She　moved　closer　to　Ramses；　her　shoulder　against　his。　〃We　don't　have　to　e　to　a　decision　immediately。　In　fact；　it　would　be　the　height　of　folly　to　go　rushing　into　action　until　we　know　more。　It's　all　very　well　to　say　that　Sethos　must　be　in　Gaza　because　only　he　could　have　got　Ramses　away；　but　we　can't　be　certain　of　that；　can　we？　The　most　sensible　course　is　to　give　him　a　chance　to　municate　with　us；　as　Father　suggested。〃
　And　keep　Ramses　with　her　a　few　days　longer。　〃I　agree；〃　I　said。　〃It　behooves　us；　then；　to　make　our　presence　known。　Shall　we　pay　a　little　visit　to　the　suk；　Nefret？　Gracious；　it　will　be　good　to　get　out　of　this　house。〃
　Ramses's　limited　wardrobe；　and　the　fact　that　he　had；　as　he　remarked；　seen　enough　of　bloody　Khan　Yunus；　made　him　agreeable　to　my　suggestion　that　he　remain　in　the　house。　Selim　stayed　with　him。　We　left　them　deep　in　conversation；　some　of　which　had　to　do　with　Sahin's　interesting　daughter。
　Squashed　into　the　tonneau　of　the　motorcar　and　half…buried　in　bundles；　I　had　not　seen　much　of　the　town　when　we　arrived。　It　had　only　one　structure　of　artistic　interest；　a　fine　thirteenth…century　mosque。　With　a　few　exceptions　the　houses　were　small　and　mean；　and　the　suk　had　not　much　to　offer。　However；　the　gardens　made　up　for　the　general　squalor。　Some　of　them　were　enclosed　by　the　same　thick　cactus　hedges　that　surrounded　the　town；　very　curious　in　appearance　and　more　effective　than　any　fence　or　wall。　It　was　a　veritable　garden　spot；　where　every　variety　of　fruit　and　vegetable　was　grown。　Fig　and　almond　trees；　orange　and　pomegranate　waved　leafy　branches。
　We　strolled　for　an　hour　or　so；　admiring　the　luxuriant　vegetation；　and　purchased　a　few　articles　of　clothing　for　Ramses　in　the　bazaar。　By　the　time　we　returned　to　the　house　I　felt　certain　our　presence　had　been　noted　by　the　entire　population　of　Khan　Yunus。　Nefret　and　I　were　wearing　our　European　garments。　Emerson　was　bareheaded；　but　he　had　declined　to　abandon　his　fortable　caftan；　or　his　beard。　（I　meant　to　attend　to　the　beard　in　due　course。）　Our　presence　occasioned　considerable　curiosity　but　less　surprise　than　I　had　anticipated；　and　as　we　crossed　the　square；　Emerson　was　accosted　by　a　ragged　individual　who　addressed　him　by　name　and　demanded　baksheesh。
　The　fellow　was　tall　for　an　Arab　and　well　built；　I　thought　for　a　moment　Emerson　was　going　to　grab　hold　of　his　beard。　But　then　he　saw；　as　did　I；　that　one　of　the　extended　arms　had　no　hand；　and　that　the　sleeve　hung　empty　from　the　elbow。
　〃It　is　too　soon　to　hear　from　him；　Emerson；〃　I　said　as　we　walked　away；　followed　by　the　loud　blessings　of　the　beggar。
　〃No；　it　isn't。　We　might　have　spared　ourselves　this　little　stroll；　the　word　of　our　presence　had　already　spread。　Otherwise；〃　Emerson　added；　stroking　his　beard　fondly；　〃that　chap　wouldn't　have　recognized　me。〃
　〃But　how　did　it　get　about？〃　Nefret　demanded；　quickening　her　pace。
　〃Any　one；　or　all；　of　a　number　of　ways；〃　I　replied。　〃The　servants　have　been　gossiping　and　speculating　about　us　ever　since　we　arrived。　There　are　undoubtedly　informers　in　Khan　Yunus　who　report　to　the　Turks　or　the　British；　some　probably　sell　the　same　information　to　both。　Lieutenant　Chetwode　。　。　。　Don't　be　in　such　a　rush；　my　dear；　Selim　is　with　Ramses；　he　won't　let　anyone　get　near　him。〃
　Ramses　was　asleep；　curled　up　like　a　cat　on　the　cushions　of　the　divan。　Squatting　by　the　door；　his　knife　in　his　hand；　Selim　was　obviously　disappointed　to　see　us　instead　of　the　assassin　he　had　hoped　for。
　〃No　one　came；〃　he　said　regretfully。
　〃But　someone　might　have。〃　I　patted　his　shoulder。　〃Thank　you；　Selim；　for　guarding　him。〃
　〃It　is　my　duty　and　my　pleasure；〃　said　Selim。　〃Now　I　will　go　and　see　what　that　fool　of　a　cook　is　doing　to　our　lunch。〃
　　
　We　had　several　callers　that　afternoon。　All　of　them　wanted　to　sell　us　something。
　Our　visit　to　the　suk　had　aroused　the　mercenary　instincts　of　every　entrepreneur　within　a　twenty…mile　radius。　It　was　customary　for　sellers　of　choice　merchandise　to　bring　it　to　the　house　of　wealthy　individuals；　especially　to　the　ladies　of　the　harem。　Female　brokers　are　employed　for　this　latter　errand；　but　since　we　were　known　to　be　infidel　English　persons；　we　were　attended　by　the　merchants　themselves；　who　spread　out　their　silks　and　jewels；　carpets　and　brassware；　for　our　inspection。　One　of　them；　more　canny　than　the　rest；　had　several　antiquities　for　sale；　including　a　fine　scarab　of　Seti　I。　The　area　had　been　in　Egyptian　hands　for　a　long　period　of　time；　Gaza　being　one　of　the　cities　mentioned　in　documents　of　the　fourteenth　century　b。c。　Arms　folded　and　lips　set　in　a　sneer；　Emerson　refused　to　violate　his　rule　of　never　buying　from　dealers；　but　I　saw　the　acquisitive　gleam　in　his　eyes　and　bought　the　scarab　and　a　remarkably　well　preserved　Phoenician　vessel。
　After　that　I　told　Selim　we　would　receive　no　more　callers　for　a　while；　and　Emerson　got　out　the　whiskey。　We　were　using　the　ka'ah　of　the　harem　as　our　sitting　room；　I　had　got　it　in　a　state　of　relative　cleanliness；　which　could　not　be　said　of　other　apartments　in　the　house。　Ramses　had　just　opened　the　whiskey　when　Selim　came　hurrying　into　the　room。
　〃There　is　a　man；〃　he　panted。　〃An　officer。　He　asks　…〃
　〃I'll　do　my　own　asking。　Stand　out　of　the　way。〃　The　officer　had　followed　him。　I　recognized　the　voice　and　the　square；　flushed　face　that　peered　over　Selim's　shoulder。　Selim　didn't　budge。
　Emerson　took　the　pipe　from　his　mouth。　〃Ah。　Major　Cartright；　as　I　live　and　breathe。　May　I　remind　you　that　you　don't　give　the　orders　here？　Ask　politely。〃
　Cartright　got　the　word　out；　though　it　almost　choked　him。　〃Please！〃
　Selim　stepped　aside；　folding　his　arms。　Cartright　marched　in。　Emerson　pointed　out；　in　the　same　mild　voice；　that　there　were　ladies　present　and　Cartright　removed　his　hat　with　a　muttered　apology。
　〃That's　more　like　it；〃　said　Emerson。　He　sipped　appreciatively　at　his　whiskey。　〃Well？　Don't　stand　there　gaping；　you　must　have　something　to　say。〃
　Emerson　was　doing　his　best　to　be　annoying；　and　no　one　can　do　it　better　than　Emerson。　Cartright　swallowed　several　words　he　knew　better　than　to　pronounce；　and　took　a　long　breath。　〃Send　…　that　is；　will　you　please　send　that　man　away？〃
　〃No；〃　said　Emerson。　〃But　I　will　do　my　best　to　prevent　him　from　using　his　knife　on　you。　You　are　either　very　placent　or　very　courageous　to　show　your　face　after　the　filthy　trick　you　played。〃
　Still　standing　…　for　no　one　had　invited　him　to　sit　…　Cartright　took　out　a　handkerchief　and　wiped　his　perspiring　brow。　〃Mrs。　Emerson　…　I　appeal　to　you。　May　I　be　allowed　to　speak？〃
　He　was　looking　at　me；　not　at　Nefret；　whose　tight　lips　and　crimson　cheeks　must　have　told　him　he　could　not　expect　any　consideration　from　her。　I　nodded。　〃Are　you　going　to　claim　you　knew　nothing　about　Chetwode's　plan？〃
　〃Chetwode　is　a　bloo　…　…　is　a　young　idiot！〃　his　superior　exclaimed　heatedly。　〃I　didn't　know；　Mrs。　Emerson；　and　that　is　the　truth。〃
　Ramses　spoke　for　the　first　time。　〃On　your　word　as　an　officer　and　a　gentleman？〃
　The　irony　went　unnoticed　by　Cartright。　〃Yes！　I　was　appalled　when　I　learned　what　Chetwode　had　done。　He　has　been　relieved　of　duty　and　will　be　punished　appropriately。　Do　you　believe　me？〃
　〃Since　you　have　given　your　word；　we　have　no　choice　but　to　do　so；〃　said　Ramses；　eyebrows　raised　and　tilted。　〃Was　that　the　only　reason　you　came；　to　express　your　regrets？〃
　〃Regrets！〃　Nefret　exclaimed。　〃That　is　somewhat　inadequate；　Major。　Do　you　know　what　happened　to　my　husband　after　…〃
　〃He　doesn't；〃　Ramses　said；　giving　her　a　warning　look。　〃I　expect　that　is　why　he　is　here；　to　find　out。　I　did　make　my　report；　Cartright；　to　General　Chetwode。〃
　〃I　know；　he　forwarded　it　immediately；　and　I　。　。　。〃　He　cast　a　longing　glance　at　the　bottle　of　whiskey。　〃My　relief；　believe　me；　was　inexpressible。　But　he　gave　me　few　details　…　which　was　quite　in　order；　quite　right　of　you　to　tell　him　no　more　than　was　necessary。〃
　〃A　basic　rule　of　the　Service；〃　said　Ramses；　in　his　even；　pleasant　voice。　〃You　are；　I　suppose；　entitled　to　know　more。　In　a　nutshell；　then；　I　don't　know　whether　Ismail　Pasha　is　the　man　you　want　or　not。　Chetwode　didn't　give　me　time　enough　to　make　a　determination。　I　was　taken　prisoner；　as　Chetwode　was　good　enough　to　inform　my　family；　but　I　managed　to　free　myself　later　that　night。〃　Forestalling　further　questions；　he　added；　〃That's　all　I　can　tell　you。　Chetwode's　futile　attack　has　made　it　virtually　impossible　for　anyone　to　get　near　Ismail　Pasha。　They　will　guard　him　even　more　closely　from　now　on。〃
　Cartright　nodded　grudgingly。　〃We　certainly　can't　try　the　same　stunt　again。　Not　for　a　while。　I　suppose　you'll　be　returning　to　Cairo　at　once；　then。　I　will　make　the　necessary　arrangements。〃
　〃We　will　make　our　own　arrangements；〃　said　Emerson。　〃When　we　are　ready。〃
　The　finality　of　his　tone；　and　the　inimical　looks　Cartright　was　getting　from　everyone　in　the　room；　should　have　convinced　him　that　there　was　nothing　more　to　be　said。　No　one　had　offered　him　a　whiskey　or　even　a　seat。　Yet　he　lingered；　shifting　his　weight　nervously　from　one　foot　to　the　other。
　〃Look　here；　old　boy；〃　he　exclaimed。　〃This　is　off　the　record；　you　know　…　but　by　Gad；　that　was　well　done！　Chetwode　was　man　enough　to　admit　that　you　risked　yourself　to　help　him　escape　…　and　then　to　break　yourself　loose　from　a　Turkish　prison；　and　get　through　their　lines　。　。　。　It　was　…　confound　it；　it　was　deuced　well　done。〃
　〃Oh；　you　know　the　Turks；〃　Ramses　said。　〃Careless　beggars。〃
　〃All　the　same；　I　…　er　…〃　Military　discipline　or　an　inadequate　vocabulary　brought　him　to　a　stuttering　stop。　He　straightened　and　snapped　off　a　crisp　salute。　Ramses　did　not　return　it；　but　he　nodded　in　acknowledgment；　the　corners　of　his　mouth　pressed。
　〃How　absurd　military　persons　are；〃　I　remarked；　after　Cartright　had　marched　stiffly　out　and　Selim　had　slammed　the　door。
　〃Don't　underestimate　him；〃　Ramses　said　softly。
　〃I　don't；〃　said　Emerson。　〃He　was　trying　to　find　out　how　long　we　mean　to　remain　here。　Perhaps　I　ought　to　have　e　up　with　an　excuse　for　staying　on；　but　I　couldn't　think　of　one　offhand；　this　isn't　the　place　one　would　choose　for　a　holiday；　and　there　are　no　archaeological　remains　of　any　interest。〃
　〃Good　Gad；〃　I　exclaimed　indignantly。　〃Do　you　think　he　is　still　suspicious　of　us？　How　insulting！〃
　Ramses　laughed　and　rose；　taking　my　empty　glass　from　my　hand。　〃You　ought　to　consider　it　a　pliment；　Mother。　'Suspicious'　is　perhaps　too　strong　a　word；　but　a　good　intelligence　officer　doesn't　take　chances　with　people　whose　behavior　is；　shall　we　say；　unpredictable。　It　poses　a　bit　of　a　problem。　If　we　don't　start　making　arrangements　to　leave　within　the　next　day　or　two；　he　will　assume　we're　planning　something　underhanded　and　place　us　under　surveillance。　That's　what　I　would　do。〃
　〃Quite；〃　Emerson　agreed。　〃Damnation！　It　doesn't　give　us　much　time。　Let　us　hope　my　…　er　…　Sethos　makes　his　move　soon。　Since　you　are　on　your　feet；　Ramses；　another　whiskey　here；　if　you　please。　How　long　till　dinner；　Selim？　That　refreshing　little　episode　has　given　me　quite　an　appetite。〃
　〃I　do　not　know；　Emerson。　I　have　been　at　the　door　all　afternoon；　and　the　cook　…〃
　〃Yes；　yes；　my　boy；　that　is　quite　all　right。　See　what　you　can　do　to　hurry　him　up；　eh？　You　need　not　stand　g