The Hippopotamus Pool (7 page)

"Ah," said Ramses. "By successful, I presume you mean to imply dishonest."

"That depends on one's definition of dishonest," Emerson admitted. "In most cases the consular agents did not actually break the law, since the laws about selling antiquities were too vague to restrict their activities unduly. They operated like any other merchants, in more or less amiable competition. Riccetti was different. It was rumored that he had been a member of the Red Hand or another such secret terrorist society, and certainly his methods supported that assumption."

"Good Gad," said Ramses. "What precisely did he do?"

"Never mind," Emerson said curtly.

"Oh," said Ramses.

Emerson smiled at Nefret, whose wide eyes were fixed on his face. "Don't be concerned about Riccetti, my dear, he only stopped by to— er—to say hello. He retired years ago, with enough money to keep him in comfort all his life. The trade pays well, especially in the Theban area. I told you about the village of Gurneh, which is built in the midst of an ancient cemetery. The residents of that pleasant little community are skilled tomb robbers and manufacturers of forgeries, some of them good enough to fool even the experts. Budge of the British Museum—"

"I beg your pardon, Father," said Ramses, "but Nefret knows all this. I told her."

In this case I did not blame Ramses for interrupting. When Emerson gets on the subject of Mr. Budge of the British Museum he is inclined to use bad language and lose track of what he is saying.

Emerson glowered at his son. "Oh, indeed? Well, it won't hurt either of you to hear it again. If you will spare me your criticism, Ramses, I will proceed to matters with which even you are not familiar—to wit, the career of Giovanni Riccetti."

Ramses subsided, twitching with impatience, while Emerson took his time about filling and lighting his pipe. I knew why he was rambling on at such length; he did not want to discuss Riccetti's reasons for coming to see us.

"It is said," Emerson continued, "that the loot from the cache of royal mummies at Deir el Bahri was marketed by Riccetti. Some of the funerary papyri and ushebtis turned up in European collections, leading eventually to the arrest of the thieves and the discovery of the tomb by the authorities, but I suspect that the most valuable objects were sold to wealthy collectors who prefer not to display their prizes. The collecting mania ..." He went droning on, recapitulating a story we all knew by heart, until he broke off with a cheerful, "Ah, but we have arrived; there is the hotel."

"One further question, Father, if I may," said Ramses.

Emerson, who had thought he was safe, braced himself. "Yes, my son?"

"Are all antiquities dealers so very fat? You remember Abd el-Atti."

Relieved, Emerson burst out laughing. "Only those who practice Turkish habits, Ramses. It might be considered an occupational hazard, I suppose, for men with too much wealth and no self-control."

"Turkish habits, Father? Do you mean that Signor Riccetti is a lover of—"

"Food," said Emerson loudly, giving me an agonized look. "Food, drink, sweetmeats, wine, spirituous liquors of all kinds ..."

"Overindulgence and insufficient exercise," I said, responding to his unspoken plea. "Mens sana in corpore sano, Ramses, as I have often said."

"Yes, Mother. But—"

"Time for luncheon," Emerson declared, pulling out his watch. "Suppose we go straight in, my dears? I am famished. Here, Peabody, let me help you down. Nefret, my dear—"

He bustled us into the dining room. Ramses appeared to have taken the hint, for I did not suppose he had forgotten the subject. I promised myself to have a little talk with him, on the propriety of discussing certain topics in the presence of his sister. However, I had an uncomfortable feeling that Nefret probably knew a great deal more about such topics than did Ramses. Perhaps I had better have a little talk with Nefret too.

After luncheon Emerson excused himself. "A few errands, my dears. I won't be long. Er—Peabody, why don't you make arrangements for one of those delightful little dinner parties of yours? It has become a pleasant custom, meeting with our friends on our arrival in Egypt."

"Pleasant little custom?" I repeated incredulously. "Delightful? Emerson, you despise formal dinner parties and you always complain bitterly about them."

"I cannot imagine where you got that idea," Emerson declared with the utmost sincerity. "Vandergelt has not yet arrived, but some of our archaeological acquaintances must be in town; Newberry and Sayce and— er—Newberry."

"I will be glad to, Emerson," I replied, conquering my astonishment and wondering what the devil he was up to now. In fact, the request suited certain of my own purposes very well.

"Excellent, excellent. I look forward to meeting Newberry and—er— again. Until teatime, my dears."

And off he went, without giving any of us a chance to ask where he was going. I thought I knew, though. I would have insisted on accompanying him if his absence had not provided me with an opportunity to begin my shopping. Besides, I told myself, I would get it out of him later—and without the children knowing.

But why the devil was he so anxious to see Mr. Newberry?

I scribbled a few hasty notes and dispatched them, and then we set out for the Khan el-Khalili. Nefret had been in Cairo only once, and then for scarcely three days. Everything was new and fascinating to her; eyes wide, lips parted, she was constantly distracted by the wares of goldsmiths and silk merchants. Naturally I bore this with my customary good humor. Ramses kept wandering off, as was his habit; like his father, he had acquaintances everywhere, and I had become resigned to seeing him greeted familiarly by pickpockets, beggars and sellers of forged antiquities.

Our last stop was at Paschal and Company in the Ezbekiyeh, where I was able to obtain a number of the household articles Emerson had overlooked.

Glancing first at my list, which was still far from complete, and then at the sun, I concluded we had done enough for one day, and led my entourage back to the hotel.

A great splashing and a burst of unmelodious song from the bath chamber informed me that Emerson had already returned. I was tidying myself when he joined me in our room, and I was pleased to see that he was in an excellent humor. His first act was to demand that I thank him properly for his kindness, which I did, but the sound of voices in the adjoining sitting room forced me to put an end to that.

"The children must be ready," I said. "How astonishing. I told them to meet us for tea in fifteen minutes, but I never expected Ramses would be so prompt. Hurry, Emerson; here, let me tie your cravat. Where is your hat?"

"I won't wear a cursed hat," Emerson said calmly. "What news from our friends, Peabody? Have you arranged your dinner party?"

"I did not look to see if any messages had been delivered, Emerson, but I will do so now."

There were no letters or notes on the table, and when I looked for the suffragi I did not find him at his post. Concluding that he must be attending to the needs of some other guest, I led the party downstairs. Several messages awaited us at the desk; after collecting them we went to the terrace and selected a table.

I must say we made a handsome group. Emerson's imposing form always attracts attention, especially from the ladies. Nefret's white frock was in the latest mode, with a high net collar and long close-fitting sleeves. Her hair flowed down her back in waves of red gold, and the hat tipped over one eye was of fine white straw trimmed with silk bows and flowers. Ramses was looking remarkably smart. I had observed signs of dandyism of late; he was, however, in that uncomfortable intermediate stage between child and man, when a boy may be transformed all at once from a proper young gentleman to a grubby urchin. All the more reason, I thought, to appreciate the young gentleman. I gave him an approving smile.

He was not looking at me. He was watching Nefret, who demanded our attention by holding out her arm and exclaiming, "Look, Aunt Amelia. Isn't it beautiful?"

It was. The bracelet circling her slim wrist was of fine gold mesh and exquisite workmanship. She had admired it earlier that day at the shop of Suleiman Basha.

"Where did you get that?" I demanded.

She knew what I was thinking. Her lips curved demurely. "Why, from Ramses, Aunt Amelia. It is not improper, is it, to accept a gift from one's brother? I have already thanked him."

The bewitching smile she gave him would have been thanks enough for most men. I had never seen Ramses blush, but on this occasion his high cheekbones darkened just a trifle. "For you, Mother," he said, offering me a parcel wrapped in tissue.

It was a small figure of a seated cat formed of blue-green faience. It wore a tiny golden earring, and a loop of gold wire around its neck enabled it to be hung on a chain.

"Why, Ramses," I exclaimed. "How thoughtful of you. Er—it must have been extremely expensive."

Courtesy—a quality even children deserve—prevented me from putting the question more bluntly. "Where did you get the money?" was what I meant.

"I borrowed it from Father," said Ramses. "However, I intend to pay him back at the earliest possible opportunity, in part from my savings and in part from my allowance as it falls due."

"Thank you, Ramses," I said, and with Nefret's assistance unfastened the chain from my neck and added Ramses's cat to the scarab that had been Emerson's bridal gift. "I will hang it on its own chain later."

My appreciation was sincere, but my doubts as to Ramses's true motives were considerable. I had found the opportunity of having a little talk with him earlier, pointing out, among other things, that while I could only approve his brotherly concern for Nefret's reputation, he stood a poor chance of influencing her by scolding her and ordering her about.

"Bullying her will only make her more determined," I explained. "Any woman of character would react in that way."

"Ah," said Ramses. "Most interesting. I confess I had not considered that aspect. Why I should have been so obtuse I cannot imagine, since I have had ample opportunity to observe the truth of your analysis in your own ... Hmmm. Thank you, Mother. You need say no more. I am able, I hope, to learn from example, and I will proceed in a way you and Father will approve."

I was not at all certain I approved. A lady always appreciates a little gift, but at his present rate of income Ramses would be in debt for a good many months. He was an expert haggler, but the gifts must have cost a pretty penny, especially the bracelet. Did Ramses think he could bribe Nefret into submission?

She was turning her arm, admiring the sparkle of sunlight on the gold, and smiling happily.

Perhaps he could at that.

After reading the messages I was able to inform Emerson that our dinner party was arranged for Friday evening.

"But we are sailing on the Thursday, Peabody."

"We will have to postpone our departure until Saturday, that is all. You were the one who asked me to arrange the party, Emerson; such things can't be done on the spur of the moment, people have other engagements."

"Oh, bah," said Emerson.

He did not, as I had expected, inquire whether Mr. Newberry was joining us. In fact I had not heard from him at that time, but later that evening I received a note of acceptance, and duly reported this to Emerson.

He appeared to have lost interest in the matter. Without looking up from the papers that had occupied him since we returned from dinner, he only mumbled under his breath. Not until I began to prepare for bed did he abandon his labors.

I had felt it best to wait until he was in his most vulnerable mood before questioning him about his errands. "What did you learn about Mr. Shelmadine?" I inquired.

"Who?" Emerson tossed his shirt in the general direction of a chair.

"Saleh, as he introduced himself. You went to his office today, didn't you?"

"No. Why the devil should I do that?"

"Where did you go, then?"

"The Museum, the French Institute, the Department of Antiquities. This," said Emerson, seating himself and removing his shoes, "is an archaeological expedition, Amelia. I am not surprised to discover that this fact has slipped your mind, but it is foremost in my own. 1 was engaging in necessary research."