My beloved Emerson was attempting to quell a rebellion. He was surrounded by a throng of workmen airing their complaints vociferously, while Mr. Dullard restrained Herr Morgenstern in a bear hug. Reis Abdul Azim squatted in a shaded spot, his hands covering his face. Mr. Buddle stood at a judicious distance, radiating displeasure. An audience had gathered to enjoy the spectacle.

I spotted Nefret in the melee and pushed my way to her side. “What on earth is going on?” I said, obliged to raise my voice to be heard.

“I have taken charge of this excavation!” Emerson roared. “Do you dare defy the Father of Curses?”

The workmen may have lacked the courage to defy him, but they were determined to protest their treatment. They sounded, I thought wearily, like a herd of recalcitrant donkeys. Emerson was enraged, as to be expected, but unable to shout them into submission. This was surprising. My husband is more than capable of intimidating a battalion into a frenzied retreat. Whatever Herr Morgenstern had done to enrage the workmen must have been horrendous.

Nefret leaned forward to be better heard. “Herr Morgenstern is overcome with affection and enthusiasm. Selim told me what provoked this unpleasantness. Herr Morgenstern has been embracing and even kissing his workmen, and to make it worse, bestowing baksheesh at random. Those wailing most loudly are the ones who received only a coin or nothing at all.”

“Do you have a diagnosis?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I have no inkling, Aunt Amelia. I would like to interview him in a calmer environment.”

“Say no more,” I said emphatically as I gripped my parasol and utilized its tip to force my way through sweaty bodies to Herr Morgenstern and Mr. Dullard. “I think it might be wise to allow Emerson to deal with the situation. Shall we withdraw to the dig house?”

“Frau Emerson!” Herr Morgenstern exclaimed, kicking up sand as he tried to free himself. “I am so delighted to see you again after our lovely time in Cairo! We must go again, you and I, so we can dine and then dance until dawn. You are the most divinely wonderful—”

“Now!” I shouted at Mr. Dullard. “Follow me and do your best not to step on anyone’s foot. This cannot be allowed to degenerate into a tasteless brawl.”

Mr. Dullard lifted Herr Morgenstern a few inches and carried him through the agitated workmen, knocking several of them to the ground. Once we were more safely ensconced under a palm tree, he said, “Good morning, Mrs. Emerson. How are you today?”

“Lovely,” I said acerbically. “Do you have any idea why Herr Morgenstern is behaving oddly?”