“True, Peabody, but I cannot leave you to be beset by the remaining Godwins. Yesterday that blasted fellow must have followed us to Harun’s shop and laid in wait. His remaining brothers are capable of doing the same. You are not even safe at Shepheard’s Hotel.”

I was touched by the depth of concern in his voice. “I shall take precautions. Ramses, David, and Daoud will be at my side whenever I venture out to make discreet inquiries. As you yourself said, the presence of foreigners does not go unnoticed. Someone knows where Morgenstern is. It should not take us long to locate him, and when we do, he will lead us to Harun—and the queen.”

The conversation did not end in Harun’s shop. We argued all the way to our hotel chamber, where our luggage awaited transfer to the railway station. The shouting may have disturbed guests in adjoining rooms, or even below in the lobby. My husband was torn between his commendable desire to keep me at his side and his obligations as an archaeologist. The site was vulnerable. I was less so, I pointed out, since I had my trio of bodyguards.

“You will send a telegram if you catch sight of Morgenstern,” Emerson said at last. “I shall take the next train back here.” His manly arms encircled me into a tight embrace. “Damn it, Peabody, what would I do without you to sew on my buttons and darn my socks?”

His choice of euphemisms made me smile.

Five

We accompanied Emerson to the railway station, where the usual chaos prevailed. Ramses, David, and Daoud formed a protective perimeter around us as Emerson and I said farewell to each other. Since we were in public, we observed decorum, to the disappointment of the throng of busybodies openly staring at us.

“I don’t like this, Peabody,” Emerson said. “Those damnable Godwins could be on this very platform. Once they see that I have left, they may become even more aggressive.”

“Throwing a stick of dynamite at us qualifies as extremely aggressive, Emerson, as does barging into my bath chamber with the intent of throttling me. Attacking Ramses on the street was hardly a meek attempt at murder. I am hard pressed to conceive of any less aggressive behavior from them. We have reduced their rank by two thus far. If the remaining brothers have any sense, they will retreat for the time being.”

He scowled at the crowd. “You heard what Nefret said about them. They are crazed with hatred. You must take every precaution should you leave the hotel. I cannot bear the idea that—er—some harm might come to you.” His hands grasped my shoulders with such intensity that I had to suppress a wince, and his voice was gruff. “Promise me, Peabody.”