“I care for neither spider webs nor scorpions,” said a voice from a back corner. “I shall join you at the trunk. Your mother will be annoyed when she finds out that you stole it from the storeroom at Shepheard’s Hotel.”

“We borrowed it,” David retorted loudly, “and we will send it back as soon as it has been unloaded. Its owner will not have missed it.”

Ramses took David’s arm and guided him to the trunk. He heard Sethos’s padding footsteps approaching. “There are still five busts at the bottom of the trunk, which implies that you were unable to identify the original.”

“Alas, that is true. The German hooligans allowed me to climb into the freight car with them when I gave them a generous bribe. After a cordial chat about the weather and such, they robbed me of my shoes, the remainder of my money, an electric torch, and an exceedingly fine silk handkerchief from China. I retreated to a corner and they ignored me. Had they not taken my electric torch, I would have detected the original bust without hesitation. However, I did rule out three of the forgeries, and I knew you would notice the weight difference if I absconded with the other two.”

“I would have noticed the weight difference if you absconded with a pair of socks,” said Ramses scornfully.

Sethos chuckled. “You think very highly of yourself, do you not, Higginsnort? If you could see me, you would realize that I am waggling my finger at you. Tut, tut, my boy! And this is a chance for you to see me as I really am. I did not feel it necessary to disguise myself, since I did not anticipate an encounter with you and David. So what do you intend to do with me?”

Ramses bit his lower lip to refrain from blurting out one of his father’s more outrageous expletives. “We could force you out to the corridor, where there is a dim light. Once we have studied your countenance, we will turn you over to a conductor who will demand to see your ticket. You will be detained until the train reaches the station at Minya.”

“A worthy proposal,” David said. “Aunt Amelia and the Professor will be most interested in hearing a detailed description of you.”

“But not likely,” replied Sethos from the opposite side of the freight car. “Give them my best wishes for a fruitful season.”

The sliding door opened, but there was insufficient light to see more than a silhouetted figure against the starlit sky. The figure paused, straightened his back, and then vanished.

“Do you think he survived?” David said as he went to the door and looked down. “I do not wish to feel guilty that we coerced him into a fatal plunge.”