“You are so kind, Frau Emerson and Fräulein Forth, and I am so humiliated. I have behaved abominably and should be dispossessed of the firman. As soon as there is adequate daylight, I will cross the river and go to Minya to send a telegram to the Service des Antiquités informing them of my imminent departure.”

Which meant, I realized, the excavation would be halted until M. Maspero found a candidate to assume charge. From what he had said in his office in Cairo, Emerson was not at the top of the list. Every moment that the site was unguarded would be an opportunity for the thieves loitering at the perimeter. I had already recognized Farouk, Asmar, Agha, and of course, Sethos; I had no doubt many of their ruthless colleagues were arriving daily.

“We will discuss this after you have rested,” I said. I beckoned to Nefret and we went into the passageway. “This is quite a dilemma. Who knows how long it may take for M. Maspero to come up with a suitable replacement? For reasons I do not understand, he has insinuated that he will not turn over the excavation to Emerson, who is by far most suitable for this and any other prestigious position in Egyptology.”

“Then we shall keep Herr Morgenstern here despite his tendency to depart,” she said sensibly. “We must encourage him to feel as though he is now capable of supervising the site, while the Professor discreetly manages the workmen and protects the more valuable discoveries.”

“Emerson is not the epitome of discretion,” I pointed out.

“You must make him understand that if he loses his temper with Herr Morgenstern, he will find himself twiddling his thumbs until a replacement arrives. Next week, next month, or whenever. He is a reasonable man.”

“He is also an impatient man with no tolerance for incompetency and indolence. You and I need to stay close by him in case Herr Morgenstern pulls another stunt that results in disaster. I wish Ramses and David were here. They could assist in keeping the workmen in line and keeping the rascals away from the site. Whatever can be the cause of their delay in Cairo?”

“Please excuse me, Aunt Amelia. I am in need of a few more hours of sleep before I attempt to come up with an explanation for anything Ramses does.” She went into her cabin and closed the door.

After a moment of contemplation concerning her current attitude toward my son, I decided that I was too agitated for further sleep. I went to the upper deck and gazed at a sky streaked with feathery pink and orange clouds. The cliffs were tinged with a golden diadem. The silence was profound. I wished that Abdullah was beside me, offering comfort if not enlightenment, but he appeared only in my dreams. He came of his own accord; he could not be beckoned at my whim.