Turning her gaze to the east bank, where they were now docked, Hattie asked the minister, “And Thebes is on this side?”
“Thebes is actually on both sides of the river; the town and the principal temples are on the east bank—where we are—and the west bank consists of the Necropolis and the tombs. Most of the government offices are here on the east bank, and I shall register with the local authorities so that they are aware of our presence.” On a somber note he added, “Ever since your parents disappeared there are additional precautions—the authorities wish to be informed of all visitors.”
Reminded, Hattie turned back toward the Valley of the Kings. “Where is the new tomb? Is it located near the tomb of Seti?”
“The princess’s tomb is the one nearest to the entrance—closest to the river. It was discovered almost by accident—a pile of rubble obscured the entrance and the tomb is not a large one. It is presumed that Seti’s tomb is nearby, but it has yet to be discovered.”
“Her tomb is most unusual,” noted Bing. “The queens and princesses were normally buried in the Valley of the Queens, which is opposite to the Valley of the Kings and nowhere near as grand.”
Hafez agreed. “It is theorized that Seti the Great could not bear to have his beloved daughter so far removed from him in death.”
How gratifying—to be a cherished daughter, Hattie thought with a pang, then quickly diverted her thoughts by looking about her for Berry; they had made a plan to rifle the sarcophagus and secure the missing disk first thing this morning. Hopefully it would be apparent upon opening; Hattie was uneasy with the idea of disturbing the mummified princess. However, instead of Berry she observed the Cantons, coming their way to bid them goodbye before they caught another vessel for Abu Simbel, further up the river.
Shaking hands, Mr. Canton said in his hearty manner, “Good luck, Miss Blackhouse—perhaps we shall return to Cairo together at the conclusion of our respective visits.”
“I would enjoy it very much,” said Hattie politely.
With a meaningful look, the bluff man added, “Our oldest son is a likely lad—perhaps you will permit him to call upon you once you are back in England.”
“Frederick,” remonstrated his embarrassed wife. “I beg your pardon, Miss Blackhouse—pay no attention to my husband’s schemings.”
The man laughed good-naturedly. “Can’t blame me—imagine sitting down to the Christmas goose with the Blackhouses—I couldn’t ask for more in life.”
Hattie laughed also, to show she wasn’t offended. Best not to mention she had never sat down to the Christmas goose with the Blackhouses, either—Christmas was instead a merry affair spent at the busy Tremaine household with Robbie and his family. Hattie had a strong premonition, however, that her next Christmas would be spent elsewhere—the exact location as yet unknown. With defiance, she lifted her face to the sun, unable to suppress her happiness. I decided to seize hold of my life, she thought, and instead my life seized hold of me.
As the Cantons waved and left them, Berry joined the party on deck. Watching him, Hattie thought he seemed a bit preoccupied. “Is all in train?” she asked in a low voice as he stood between Hattie and Bing. They had decided that Bing would distract the minister once they were at the tomb so that she and Berry were left in the inner chamber with the sarcophagus. As an excuse, Hattie was to pretend to sketch the interior, which was truly a deceit—Hattie was no artist. Berry had at first been reluctant to allow her to participate in the tomb-raiding scheme but she had insisted. “It is my inheritance, after all,” she had said in front of Bing, and so he had been outmaneuvered.
“Yes—do you have your sketchbook?”
It was actually Bing’s sketchbook as Hattie would have scorned such an accessory, but she nodded nonetheless. Glancing around to see that no one was within earshot, she asked a question that had occurred to her last night. “Did you have an opportunity to translate the Napoleonic cipher on my disk? Perhaps it is a second source, so to speak, and we needn’t disentomb the miserable princess.”
“Yes—but it was not helpful; the words on your disk refer the reader to the senet board, and since we are already aware of the senet board’s existence it proved of little help.” Bending his head, he met her eyes and addressed her in a very serious tone. “Now that we are to travel on land you must stay close to me at all times. Do not speak to any strangers—I will have your promise on this, Hattie.”
Hattie nodded, her expression somber for a moment—it was easy to forget that opposing forces were intensely interested in the secret chamber and by extension, in what she knew.