Ramses nodded. "All right."

"I'll tell Reis Ha.s.san," Walter said happily, and trotted off.

"All right," Ramses repeated.

My heart ached for him. "What about a nice whiskey and soda?" I suggested.

"If you would like one, Mother."

I was afraid I would have to administer another therapeutic smack on the face. However, Ramses is a true son of his father (and me). He pa.s.sed his hand over his mouth, gave himself a little shake, and managed a smile.

Everyone joined us except Selim, who could not be extracted from his engines. Reis Ha.s.san got us turned round in a series of maneuvers that inspired several breathtaking close calls and a lot of bad language from the persons thus inconvenienced. The white sail of a felucca pa.s.sed so close it filled the entire window aperture. But finally we were headed south again.

It was late in the afternoon and the sun was setting when Bertie came into the saloon to report that someone was hailing us. "Looks like a local fishing boat."

"Probably hope to sell us something," Cyrus grumbled.

"We had better see what they want," I said. "They may have news."

We followed Bertie onto the deck. The sun was low in the west. A flotilla of small boats raced toward us, their white sails flapping like the wings of a flock of birds. The occupants were all shouting at once. It was impossible to make out words.

"Good heavens," I said. "It is a miniature armada-every boat in that small village, by the looks of it. Tell Selim to stop the engines. They must have news for us."

In my understandable agitation I caught the arm of Ramses, who stood next to me. He shook me off with absentminded force and raised both hands to shield his eyes against the glare of the sunset. Then his rigid body sagged forward across the rail and his breath came out in a long, shuddering sigh.

My vision is not the equal of his, but I believe I was the next to see her, standing in the nearest boat, supported by one of the men. The coronet of golden hair was unmistakable, but so unbelievable and so welcome was the sight I refused to credit the evidence of my own eyes until the little boat came alongside and the grinning crewmen lifted her up into Ramses's outstretched arms.

"It is a miracle," Walter said reverently. He removed his eyegla.s.ses and wiped them on his shirttail.

"Miracle be d.a.m.ned," said my other brother-in-law. "Nefret, I am unspeakably relieved to see you, but-"

"Give them a minute," I said. Ramses's arms held her close and his face was hidden against her hair.

Nefret raised her head and turned in the circle of his arm. She held out her hands to me. "He is alive, Mother. I spoke with him early this morning. I didn't want to leave him, but he-"

"You did the right thing, my dear," I said. The situation was still grave, but I felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. "Now come and rest, and eat something."

"I'm not hungry," Nefret said. "They fed me and washed my clothes and dried them. They-"

David had been talking with the boatmen. They were so pleased with themselves they were reluctant to go, but after we had showered them with praise and thanks, and all the money we had in our pockets, they tore themselves away. Ahead the lights of Qena shone through the gathering dusk.

It took a little while for us to get underway, since every man on the Amelia had to see Nefret and touch her before they could believe she was safely back. Nasir burst into tears and flung himself at her feet. The sight of Selim, oily, weary, and smiling, brought a cry of protest from his physician but he would not let her examine him.

"Tell us," he said. "Everything."

After Nasir had been restored, he stumbled round lighting the lamps and the rest of us crowded round Nefret, who was seated on the divan, with Ramses's arm round her. I am not ashamed to admit that the whiskey flowed freely. Nefret shook her head when Cyrus offered her a gla.s.s.

"My stomach is still a little queasy, and you know how the stuff affects me. I'll tell you everything in due time, but you must hear this first. They are planning to take the princesses' treasure!"

The announcement fell a little flat. "Curse it," Nefret said. "You knew? How? I didn't find out until last night."

"Walter figured it out," said Sethos. "Do you know when they plan to strike, and how?"

"No."

"d.a.m.nation. If Lacau has already left Luxor, they could seize the steamer tonight."

"I've been thinking," Walter said.

This time his announcement got more attention. "Yes?" Sethos said respectfully.

"Certain of my initial a.s.sumptions may have been in error," Walter explained in his precise schoolmaster's voice. "One takes it for granted that dastardly deeds are done under cover of darkness, but they cannot travel at night, can they? Surely they would want to get underway as soon as they are in possession of the treasure."

"It would take 'em a while to unload the cargo," Cyrus said, stroking his goatee.

"No, no," Walter said excitedly. "Why should they do that? It would, as you say, take a great deal of time, and the dahabeeyah is certain to be seen, however she changes her appearance. Every craft on the river would be on the lookout for her. The government steamer, on the other hand . . ."

"Of course," I breathed. "They will board the steamer-ma.s.sacre the crew-sink the Isis . . . Oh, my. What will they do to poor M. Lacau?"

No one seemed especially concerned about poor M. Lacau. Sethos shook his head. "I've been out of the business too long. Lost my touch. It's a pity Walter is an honest man. What a partner he would make!"

Walter beamed. "You think I am right, then?"

"I know you are right." Sethos slammed his fist into his palm. "That's exactly how I would have planned it, supposing I were cold-blooded enough to murder a dozen innocent men. We've got until morning, then. Someone must go ash.o.r.e at Qena and try to find out whether Lacau has left Luxor, and if so, when."

"I'll go," Ramses said. It was the first time he had spoken since he took his wife into his arms, and his face was still alight with joy and disbelief.

"We must hear Nefret's story first," I said, with a fond smile at the pair. "She may have seen or heard something that will affect our plans. Start at the beginning, my dear, if you will be so good, and don't leave anything out."

It was, to say the least, an absorbing tale. The faces of the listeners reflected their feelings-surprise, indignation, admiration-but no one interrupted until she described the transformation of Mrs. Fitzroyce.

"Good Gad," I cried in chagrin. "I never suspected her."

"No wonder she avoided me," Sethos said grimly. "I knew the-I knew her well. That explains Martinelli. They were bitter enemies. That isn't good news. She was one of Bertha's most ruthless a.s.sistants."

"Justin is equally ruthless," Nefret said. "He-she-isn't quite normal."

She went on to describe her last conversation with Emerson, and his insistence that she leave him. "I would never have made it if he hadn't been there," she said simply. "It was impossible not to live up to his faith in my abilities and my nerve. But I did come close to breaking down when I saw the Amelia pa.s.s by earlier today."

"It must have been horrible," I said sympathetically. "Where were you?"

"On one of the islands in midstream. I was trying to swim to sh.o.r.e when I was struck by a floating log. I managed to hang on to it until it came aground, but my shoulder was. .h.i.t-"

Ramses took his arm away. "Why didn't you tell me when I grabbed hold of you? Did I hurt you?"

She touched his cheek. "I didn't even feel it. I never dared hope I would see you so soon, even after I finally managed to attract the attention of a fisherman from the village. Once I had identified myself, they couldn't do enough for me. Late in the afternoon they got word that the Amelia was heading back this way, and the whole village piled into their boats, they were so anxious to be the first to give you the news. Now tell me what happened after I left the clinic. Is everyone-are they-"

"Oh, my dear," I said. "I ought to have rea.s.sured you immediately. The children are safe-they are all safe-and the house is well guarded."

"So," said Daoud, who had been listening with interest but with increasing signs of impatience, "now we must think how to rescue the Father of Curses."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

After Ramses had gone ash.o.r.e, accompanied by Reis Ha.s.san, I persuaded Nefret to rest for a while. She declared she was too keyed-up to sleep, but as soon as her head touched the pillow her weary eyes closed. I stood looking down at her, watching the lines of pain and worry smoothed by the benevolent hand of Hypnos, and thanking Heaven for her preservation. She had made light of her own suffering and struggle, but I knew what she must have gone through. I dared not think of what Emerson was still enduring.

The rest of us sat talking in low voices, so as not to waken her. Daoud had, with the ac.u.men that sometimes marked him, hit the nail square on the head. We might be able to find the Isis before she waylaid the steamer, but while Emerson was a prisoner we were powerless to prevent an attack.

"I'd give up the whole goldurned treasure rather than see him come to harm," Cyrus declared.

"That is very n.o.ble of you, Cyrus, considering that the treasure isn't yours to dispose of," I retorted, and immediately repented my rudeness when I saw his hurt expression. "Forgive me, Cyrus. I did not express myself well. What I meant to say was that M. Lacau may not share your sentiments."

"That's okay, Amelia, I understand."

"We cannot allow them to take the steamer," I went on. "And we cannot attack the Isis openly until Emerson has been freed."

"Attack?" Bertie echoed. "What with, a few rifles, when they are probably armed to the teeth? I don't like the odds, Mrs. Amelia. Cyrus is right, let 'em take the confounded treasure. They won't get away with it. We'll track them down."

"It is not the treasure I am thinking of, but the lives of the men on the steamer."

Bertie's brow furrowed. "Oh, Lord. They wouldn't really kill all those people, would they?"

"I am convinced of it. I remember Matilda well; she was a worthy disciple of her mistress. In my opinion, the young woman is even more dangerous. She has exhibited evidence of severe mental disturbance."

"Then there's my dear little daughter," said Sethos. He reached for a cigarette. His hand was steady. "What a pretty trio they make."

An uncomfortable silence followed. Cyrus looked away, and Bertie bit his lip. I had observed his increasing interest in Maryam. It is painful for a young fellow to think that a young lady's interest in him may have an ulterior motive. In fact, I considered the girl less culpable than the others, but to say so would not have comforted her father. Guilty she unquestionably was, and what we were to do with her if we succeeded in capturing her I could not imagine.

And at that moment she was the least of my concerns. "We will have to get onboard the Isis," I said. "Unseen and undetected."

"That is right," said Daoud, nodding approvingly.

The others reserved their commendations. "What a good plan," said Sethos. "How do you propose we go about it?"

"I have a few ideas . . ."

Ramses did not return until close to midnight. He had had to wait at the telegraph office for replies to his urgent telegrams. (He did not explain how he had persuaded the clerk to remain on duty past his usual hour, and I did not ask.) Lacau was still in Luxor, but he had finished loading the treasure and was expected to depart in the morning.

That was not all he and Reis Ha.s.san had accomplished. Ramses had had a few ideas of his own. Runners-donkey riders, to be more precise-had been dispatched south from Qena and northward from Luxor. Scouts would be in position by morning, and the same signal system would be used. Any private dahabeeyah would be reported.

"You seem to have thought of everything," Sethos said grudgingly. "Except how we can get to Emerson without being seen. The Amelia is somewhat conspicuous."

My warning shake of the head stopped Ramses on the verge of a hot retort. He swallowed and looked at Nefret. She had awoken instantly when he entered and was curled up on the divan, watching him as he paced to and fro. "I have thought of that too, sir. We're taking a small boat in tow. She's a miserable-looking craft, so the crew of the Isis won't be surprised when we appear with our sail trailing. While the rest of you entertain the observers by screaming poignant appeals for rescue-which you are not likely to get-I'll swim to the Isis."

"And I with you," said Sethos.

"How far can you swim underwater?" Ramses inquired gently.

"Far enough."

"No. I," said Ramses in the same quiet voice, "am running this show. Anyone who won't accept that can d.a.m.n well stay here. The boat will hold four. It will be the job of the others to distract the crew while David and I get to the dahabeeyah. After that . . . well, it will depend on what transpires, and that is likely to be unpleasant."

Naturally they all wanted to go. Daoud rumbled hopefully. Ramses smiled and shook his head.

"Impossible to disguise you, Daoud-or you, Cyrus. Selim isn't fit enough. The rest of us will wear the usual rags. Myself, David, Bertie-and you, Sethos, if you promise to follow my orders."

I sat very quietly in the corner, my hands folded in my lap. Ramses said, without looking in my direction, "No, Mother. Not a chance. Did you hear what I said?"

"Certainly, my dear. I heard every word."

"THERE SHE IS, RIDING AT anchor near the West Bank." Ramses raised one arm and gave the signal to Reis Ha.s.san.

The sun was still low over the eastern cliffs and the lovely flush of sunrise had not completely faded. We were south of Qena, approaching the stretch where, according to Reis Ha.s.san's deductions, the Isis was most likely to be lurking. There were only a few villages in that area and traffic on the river was minimal.

"Has she seen us?" I asked.

"I don't think so. Thank G.o.d for Reis Ha.s.san," he added, as the Amelia came to a grinding halt and began to reverse. "He can make the Amelia jump through hoops. Time to go."

Our anchor went over the side and the small boat was drawn up. It was a pitiful craft, the sails patched on patches, and we were an equally hapless-looking crew. Ramses and David wore a minimum of clothing, in preparation for swimming. The rest of us were attired in ragged galabeeyahs.

When I appeared on deck in my hastily a.s.sembled disguise Ramses was rude enough to shout at me. Naturally I forgave him, since I knew he was under something of a strain.

"Don't talk to her as if she were a woman, Ramses," Nefret said.

"She is a woman! She's my mother! I won't let her-"

I raised my voice just a trifle. "You said, back in Luxor, that you would not return without Nefret. I will not go back without your father."

"You can't stop her," Nefret said. She stroked his bare arm, as one gentles a restive stallion. "You haven't the right."

"You're on her side," Ramses groaned.

"Of course. If it were you, I'd be in that boat myself."

"A compromise," I said helpfully. "I won't take my parasol."

On Ramses's countenance amus.e.m.e.nt struggled with anxiety and anger, and I knew I had won. "All right, Mother. But please-not the eye patch."

"It helps to hide my face," I explained. "I neglected to bring a beard."

The others had wisely refrained from joining in the discussion. Cyrus gave me a hearty embrace and helped me into the boat. "We'll be waiting for your signal," he said. "Good luck."

David cast off and raised the sail. Sethos caught hold of me and pulled me down on the seat beside him.