Daughter of the God-King(73)

“Capital,” he said with some enthusiasm. “Perhaps there is one in the entryway.” He looked about. “I need some sort of a prod.”

“I have a knife,” offered Berry, and pulled one out of his boot.

“Excellent,” said Robbie, taking it. “But what will you use?”

“I have another,” said Berry, and pulled a wicked-looking, narrow dagger from a sheath at his waist, which earned him a long look from Hattie. She wandered after the two men as they exited into the entry hall to discuss who would cover which area. Both then knelt to prod the packed earth with their knives, moving along slowly, foot by foot. Robbie would occasionally direct Berry, who would obey him in his best imitation of a subservient. Her mind filled with her new theory, Hattie squeezed by them so as to rejoin Bing but she took the opportunity to run a caressing hand down Berry’s back as she passed him by—it seemed like years since he had held her in his arms, and she was growing impatient.

She found Bing and the minister near the entrance, discussing the likeliest location for a hidden underground chamber. Hattie explained the search that was underway in the entry passage and with much enthusiasm, the minister took Bing’s parasol and went to their aid.

When he was out of earshot, Bing pounced on Hattie. “Well?”

“Nothing—no mummy in the sarcophagus.”

Shocked, Bing’s brows drew together. “How extraordinary. And it seemed so promising.”

“I don’t know, Bing—I am thinking there never was a mummy to begin with.”

“Are you indeed?” asked Bing, crossing her arms. “Well.”

Hattie explained, “Remember what Edward wrote—that he thought the find was inconsistent with what my parents believed?”

“He did,” Bing agreed. “But he deferred to your parents and kept his doubts to himself.”

In a low tone, Hattie continued, “Don’t you see? If my parents determined this was the tomb of Seti’s daughter, no one would dare question it. Not even Edward, who could see for himself that this was actually—I don’t know—probably only some sort of minor official.”

Bing considered, one hand on her chin. “It is true the sarcophagus does not match the dateline. But to what end, Hathor?”

Brought up short, Hattie tried to think of a non-treasonous explanation to relate to Bing. “Perhaps to have a secret place to store something valuable? Museum pieces,” she suggested vaguely, “—or something.”

“But why wouldn’t Mr. Hafez be aware of this deception, if this were the case?”

“Perhaps they didn’t trust him.” Glancing at her companion, she then suggested, “Or perhaps they were doing something unlawful.”

“Unthinkable,” Bing protested. “On the other hand, Monsieur Berry warned us not to speak of the chamber to Mr. Hafez.”

“It does not look well for Mr. Hafez,” Hattie agreed tentatively. “Say nothing as yet—allow me to speak to Monsieur Berry about it.”

And so Hattie waited in a fever of impatience while the men made their painstaking way to the end of the entry hall with nothing to show for it. Dusty and disappointed, they conferred about what should be done next and came to the conclusion they would make inquiries among the locals to determine when and where Hattie’s parents were last seen. As little could be accomplished during the midday heat, they agreed to return to the Priapus until the afternoon, and make some inquiries at the government offices at that time.

As they descended the stairs, Hattie murmured to Berry, “I must speak with you.”

“With pleasure,” he responded, but his gaze was on a fine horse that was tied under the shade of the guards’ awning—apparently Robbie had managed to come by it somehow between the barge and the tomb.

“Beautiful animal,” Robbie agreed as they all walked over to admire it. “A party from the French embassy came to meet with the minister, and I explained that he was here and borrowed the horse to fetch him back—I confess I forgot to mention it, in all the excitement.”

“Very good,” said Hafez, but it seemed to Hattie that the minister was less than enthused about the coming meeting.

Berry drew a casual hand over the animal’s glossy neck but Hattie knew that the news of the visitors was no ordinary happenstance—she could sense it in his posture. He was wary; and she surmised it meant more enemies among them—apparently they were plentiful in this god-forsaken place.

After the men had discussed the horse’s finer points with the guards, Robbie mounted up and the rest of the party loaded onto the cart to make the return journey. Bing, bless her, turned her back on Hattie to engage Mr. Hafez in conversation so that Hattie could speak in a low voice to Berry. “Tell me about these Frenchmen from the embassy—what have they to do with all this?”