I related the events, including the identity of the attacker. “The Godwin brothers are indefatigable, I must say. I cannot think why Mr. Buddle might be among their targets. He is such an innocuous fellow. What could he have done to merit such enmity? Perhaps Mr. Ridgemont did something vile to the Godwin family, and Mr. Buddle is considered to be his representative. Ramses and I are at the pinnacle of their list, their first priorities. Mr. Buddle’s time would come once they have eliminated us. In the morning, I will take him aside and reiterate my warning.”

Emerson handed me a snifter of brandy. “You will stay on board until the last Godwin has been exposed and defeated, Peabody.”

“What if this Flitworthy character is a pirate? I will be much safer at your side, Emerson, and I must have the opportunity to speak to Liezel and Mr. Buddle.”

“I will speak to them.”

“But will they listen to you? I shall stay within an arm’s length of you until Daoud recovers from his night outside Miss Smith’s hut. He will accompany me the rest of the day. He must be aggravated that he was on the deck when Absalom charged, and eager to have a chance to pummel the remaining Godwin.”

Nefret sighed. “I agree with my dear Professor, but I know you cannot be easily dissuaded. I need to look in on Herr Morgenstern before I retire.” She kissed each of us on the cheek and left the salon, muttering to herself.

From Manuscript H

Ramses, still in the personage of Higginsnort, nodded at Baehler as he crossed the hotel lobby and went upstairs to the diminutive room. David had opted to use the basement entry, and was washing his upper body. He conceded the washbowl with a chuckle.

“Bear in mind this disguise was necessary,” Ramses said sourly as he tugged at the plastic pouches glued onto his cheeks with gum arabic. “Unless, of course, you would have preferred to remain in the basement of the German embassy until Herr Gunter arranged to have you tortured. Because of you, I am in debt to Sethos. It pains me to admit that the plan and its implementation were his doing.”

“What do you intend to tell your father?”

“As little as possible.” Ramses grimaced as he ripped off the last pouch. “Obviously, we cannot remain here. I will retrieve the two copies from Baehler’s supply closet and meet you in the basement. Damn that scoundrel Harun! Who knows how many more copies are in antiquities shops? Ten? Twenty? We must assume that the original bust of Nefertiti is in his new workshop—wherever the hell that may be!”

David finished buttoning his shirt. “I agree that we should move to another location, but I doubt we will be safer in any of the hotels, shabby or grandiose. Gunter will anticipate that and have his spies on the alert. When was the last time a desk clerk refused to accept a bribe? Not in this century or the one before it. My cousin Tahir has an apartment in the vicinity of the train station. We can stay there until it is time to catch the night train.”