The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog (31 page)

"Dearest Mama and Papa. I am sorry to tell you that Gargery is still not a hero. However, we have another heroine.
"I never thought Aunt Evelyn had it in her. It has been a salutary if humbling experience for
me and will teach me, I hope, to Question even more rigorously the false stereotypes our society holds about the behavior and character of females. I had always believed myself free of such prejudices and certainly I ought to have been, with Mama's example of abnormality always
before me. How curiously the human mind operates! It seems to be able to dismiss any evidence that conflicts, not only with its own desires, but with preconceived beliefs so deeply seated and unconsciously instilled that they are not recognized as irrational. Examined in the cold light
of reason ..."

Before turning the page— which ended with the last phrase I have quoted— I took a firm grip on my temper. It would serve no purpose to lose it, since the object of my wrath was out of reach. He must have been reading the articles on psychology I had strictly forbidden him. Or had I? I had certainly
meant to, since some of the theories expressed were far too shocking for the innocent minds of children. However, I could not be certain. Telling Ramses what not to do was a time-consuming process, and it was almost impossible to keep up with him because he was always thinking of new atrocities to commit.
Realizing that I was letting my mind stray, just as Ramses had done, I went on reading.

". . . many of these beliefs do not stand up for a moment. They are, in fact, no more than
mindless superstition. Whence, then, do they come? I confess I have not yet found an answer.
It is particularly galling to discover them in a mind as rational as I have always considered
mine to be.
"I would like to discuss this matter with you, dearest Mama and Papa, for it interests me a
great deal, but perhaps this is not the appropriate time, for you must be wondering what particular incident prompted my speculations.
"You may recall that in my last letter I described the curious incident of the dogs that barked
in the nighttime. Since barking was the extent of their assistance I determined, as I believe
I mentioned, that I would take steps to provide a more effective variety of watch-animal.
You see, I had a hideous foreboding ..."

I had one too. "Oh, no," I gasped.
"What?" Cyrus cried, hardly less agitated than I.

"... a hideous foreboding that we had not seen the last of nocturnal invasions. I felt certain it would be impossible to convince Uncle Walter of the logic of my decision, so I had to carry it
out myself, and it was cursed inconvenient having to wait for everyone to go to sleep before I crept out to let ... [My voice broke.] ... let ... the lion . . . out of . . ."

"By the Almighty!" Cyrus exclaimed "For pity's sake, go on, Amelia, I can't stand the suspense!"

". . . its cage, and then waking up at dawn to put it back before some other member of the household encountered it. Nefret very kindly assisted

Again emotion overcame me. "Another one," I said hollowly. "I thought one was bad enough, and
now . . . Forgive me, Cyrus. I will endeavor not to break down again.

". . . assisted me on two occasions she said I was a growing boy and needed my rest. I hardly need say, Mama and Papa, that I took this without resentment, in the spirit in which it was
meant.

"Naturally I had shut up the dogs and warned Bob and Jerry to lock themselves into the lodge while the lion was out. They agreed this was a sensible procedure.

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"Uncle Walter has insulted me mortally. His remarks on the subject of the lion were uncalled
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for, unfair, and extremely rude, particularly in view of the fact that my foresight prevented—
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or helped to prevent, at least— an incident that might have proved disastrous.
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"Having anticipated such an occurrence, I was the first to wake when the piercing screams of
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a female in the last extremity of terror, mingled with the growls of a large feline, rent the night!
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I had been sleeping in my clothes, of course, in order to be fully prepared and ready for action,
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it was the work of a moment to snatch up the weapon I had put at hand (a poker from the fireplace] and rush down the stairs.
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"The moon cast a frosty light upon the lawn (which was, in fact, covered with frost, the night being cold). The forms of the great jungle beast and its prey stood out in sharp outline.
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Hastening toward the group, poker at the ready, I beheld a somewhat disconcerting sight. There was just enough light for me to make out the features of the individual lying supine between the lion's paws. With a start of chagrin, I recognized her as Ellis, Aunt Evelyn's new maid.
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"In fact, the lion would probably not have harmed her. To be sure, it was growling, but the
sound held a note of inquiry rather than ferocity. I had the distinct impression it did not know what to do next. Ellis had swooned, which was no doubt a sensible move on her part.
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"While I was thinking how best to proceed, I saw Nefret running toward me, her little bare feet noiseless on the grass. Her unbound hair streamed out behind her, silver-gold in the pale light, her light nightdress billowed about her slender limbs. She was a vision of. . . [Something had been scratched out here. Ramses went on.] . . . of womanly efficiency. Her knife was in her hand.
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"With her assistance I persuaded the lion to abandon his new toy. Grumbling under his breath
he ambled off, with Nefret's fingers twisted affectionately in his mane. The literary allusions
that occurred to me will doubtless occur to you, Mama, as well, so I will not take up paper describing them.
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"I set to work restoring Ellis to consciousness, but I had not had time to slap her more than
once before I heard a considerable racket coming from the house. I had been expecting some reaction from that Quarter, I was surprised it had not occurred before, but I suppose the
actions I have described had taken only a few minutes. Astonishing, is it not, how quickly
time passes when one is engaged in interesting activities?
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"The sounds I heard suggested to me something rather more serious than the indignation of
Uncle Walter at being awakened. These cries were high-pitched— female, I deduced. So abandoning Ellis, I hastened to ascertain their origin.
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"As you know, the majority of the windows in the castle are narrow and small. Only the sitting room has been modernized; its windows open onto the rose garden. It was from this room that
the noise issued, and as I came through the garden I was distressed to note that the windows
stood open. The room was dark and at first I could not make out what was going on, rapid movements, gasps and exclamations of pain and exertion were all the evidence available to me. Then the combatants— for such they were— approached the window. The poker fell from my palsied hand when I identified them.
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"One was a man, a hulking fellow wearing a short fustian jacket and a cap pulled low over his eyes. He held a cudgel or thick stick, with which be was warding off the blows directed at him
by . . .
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"But no doubt you have anticipated me. Her nightcap had come off and hung by its strings, her braided hair fell over one shoulder. Her face was set in a ferocious snarl. Quite unlike her
normal sweet look, and the
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instrument with which she was belaboring the cowering villain appeared—and indeed proved—to be a parasol.
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"I recovered myself and my poker and rushed to her assistance. She was not in need of it, but
the rascal might have got away from her if I had not tripped him up. Together we subdued him. Tearing off the sash of her dressing gown, Aunt Evelyn bade me bind his arms.
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"It was at this point that Uncle Walter arrived on the scene, followed by Gargery and Bob, both
of whom carried lanterns. They had been wandering around the grounds, uncertain as to where the action was taking place. (Wandering gives an inaccurate impression, in fact, for it was obvious from Uncle Walter's appearance that he had been running as fast as he could, though
to little effect. Like Papa, he does not like being waked up suddenly and is slow to react.)
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"Bob lit the lamps and Gargery finished binding the arms and legs of our burglar. This was at
my direction, I am sorry to say that Uncle Walter lost his head completely. I have never seen
him behave so erratically. He rushed at Aunt Evelyn and shook her very hard. Then he embraced her as fiercely as ever I have seen . . . [Another phrase was scratched out. I knew what it must have been, though ] . . . others do. Then he shook her again. Strangely enough, Aunt Evelyn
did not seem to mind.
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"I do not have another sheet of paper, and cannot get one, since Uncle Walter has confined me
to my room until further notice, so I am forced to be brief. Ellis was on her way to meet a friend, as she explained, when the lion intercepted her. (Rose says people like Ellis manage to find friends wherever they go. It is an endearing characteristic, I think.) The burglar claimed he
was looking for valuables. Inspector Cuff has taken him off to London. Inspector Cuff is a very taciturn person. All he would say, before he left with his prisoner, was, 'I think I can be of
greater use to you elsewhere, Master Ramses. You will hear from me in due course.' As for
Aunt Evelyn, she says she has had the parasol for quite a long time. I have never seen her carry
it. It is like yours, Mama, very heavy and plain, not her usual little ruffled ones. I wonder why
she would have something like that if she never expected to need it? But that is another matter
we can discuss at a future time.
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"My paper tells me I must stop. Your loving son, Ramses.
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"P.S. I know that Papa is very busy with his excavations, but it would comfort me a great deal
to receive a message in his own hand."
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Cyrus and I sat in silence for a few moments. Then he said, "Excuse me, Amelia. I will be right back."
When he returned he was carrying a bottle of brandy. I had a little sip. Cyrus had a little more.
"Comment," I said, "would be futile. Now let me read Evelyn's version."
But Evelyn made no reference to the events Ramses had described. After affectionate greetings and assurances that all were well, she explained that her chief reason for writing was to clarify in her own mind what might lie behind the mysterious events that had recently occurred.

My own poor powers of reasoning are so inferior to yours, dear Amelia, that I hesitate even to express thoughts that must long ago have been apparent to your clear, decisive mind. Yet I will venture to do so, in the hope that by sheer chance I may have stumbled on some notion that has not occurred to you.
I began as I believe you might have done, by asking how these terrible people could have learned the secret you were so careful to conceal. The story you gave out was plausible, so our enemies must have had sources of information not known to the public. Several possibilities have
occurred to me, I list them in the neat order you would approve.
1. One of us might unwittingly have betrayed information that could only have come from a visit to the place mentioned by Mr. Forth. You would never be indiscreet enough to do this, dear Amelia, search my conscience as I might, I can think of no occasion on which I might have done so. I do not wish to ask Walter, for the very idea that he might be responsible, however innocently, for the troubles that have befallen us would break his noble heart. Yet I wonder: Did he or Radcliffe speak in the articles they have written since your return, or to colleagues in archaeology, of things an expert might recognize as firsthand knowledge? The articles have not yet been published, but surely they have been read by the editors of the journals at least?
2. One of the officers at the military camp may have had more information about the matter than you realize. Had Mr. Forthright befriended any of them? Had they been shown the map? You mentioned that there were compass readings on it. I know little of such matters, but it would
seem to me that such precise details would arouse interest and intelligent speculation, particularly after you came back to Gebel Barkal with Nefret.
3. I hesitate to mention this, for it seems even more foolish than my other silly ideas, but I cannot help recalling the young man Nefret met at Miss Mclntosh's school. An individual whose
curiosity had already been aroused might seek her out with the intention of questioning her
about her experiences. As we all know, it is very difficult to avoid slips of the tongue, and an innocent child is particularly unwary. I wonder— I can put it no more strongly than that— I wonder if that fleeting acquaintance might not have been renewed, or an attempt made to do so,
if she had not already given him what he hoped to get? At my request she performed the Invocation to Isis for us one evening. (Do not fear, dear Amelia, I made certain she thought it
was only for our amusement.) Walter could not contain his excitement. He recognized some of
the phrases of the song, which he said were from an ancient ritual. And certainly no one could suppose that she learned that dance, or would have been permitted to perform it, at a Christian mission!
So I questioned her, with equal tact, I assure you, about the young man she called Sir Henry.
He had thick waving black hair, parted down the middle, a cavalry-style mustache, gray or pale-blue eyes and long lashes. He was of medium height and slender build, with a fair complexion and a rather pointed chin and narrow nose.
I know this description is too vague to be of much use (especially since, if my silly idea is right,
a disguise might have been employed}. However, I pass it on to you because another and very alarming thought has occurred to me. This person's failure to pursue the acquaintance with
Nefret might stem from the fact that he is no longer in England. Your recent communications
have attempted to reassure us, dear Amelia, but I know you very well, and I sense a formality
and stiffness that suggests you are concealing something from us. I would not urge you to
greater candor, I appreciate the tender affection that makes you reluctant to add to our concern. (Though I might add, my dear friend and sister, that speculation often conjures up fears far
worse than the truth.) Logic also forces upon me the conclusion that if the children have been threatened, you and Radcliffe must be in even greater peril. Pray take care! Curb your courageous propensity to rush headlong into danger! And try to restrain Radcliffe— though
I know that is no easy task. Remind him, as I remind you, that there are those to whom your health and safety are as important as their own. Chief among them is.
Your loving sister,
Evelyn.