Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters Page A

withered stalks. Horticulture was not one of Abdullah's interests.
    "I hope you did not leave any arsenic lying about," said Emerson, poking tobacco into his pipe.
    "Now, Emerson, you know I do not employ arsenic to kill rats when the cats are with us, for fear of their being poisoned. They will rid us of resident rodents."
    Anubis had already presented us with two unlucky mice and was presumably still at it, since he had not joined us on the verandah. Stretched out on the ledge next to Nefret, her head on the girl's lap, Sekhmet appeared to be smirking in her sleep.
    "Not that one," said Ramses. "Does she ever do anything but sleep and eat and shed on people?"
    Abdullah, who had appeared in the doorway, remarked, "Let us hope not. One demon cat is enough. Will you have the food brought here, Sitt Hakim?"
    I said we would and invited him to join us. Abdullah looked down his nose at me. "I must make sure the men finish sweeping the desert, Sitt," he said. "How far from the house should they go?"
    "Now, Abdullah, don't sulk," I said. "And don't try to be sarcastic."
    "It is a waste of time," Emerson agreed. "You did well, Abdullah. I forgot to ask you last night: Were there any messages waiting for us?"
    "Selim brought them here from Luxor," Abdullah said. "I will ask him where he put them." Then he reached into the breast of his robe. "There was also this, Emerson. I found it pinned to the door this morning when I came to clean-to finish cleaning the house."
    He held it up so we could all read it. The lettering was large and clear.
    "The curse of the gods fills tomb Twenty-A. Enter it at your peril!"
    Emerson's eyes narrowed. "Hell and damnation!" he cried. "The bastard has followed us to Luxor!"
    I have almost given up trying to keep Emerson from using bad language. I have not entirely given up trying to keep the children from doing it, but there are times when I fear I am losing the battle. It is natural that they should imitate one they admire so much, and since I am a firm believer in women's rights I can hardly single out Nefret for scoldings. Whatever is permitted to a man should be permitted to a woman-even swearing.
    Our house was near the small village of Gurneh, conveniently close to the quarters of Abdullah and our other men and a mere twenty-minute walk from the Valley of the Kings. The location had another advantage in that it enabled us to keep an eye on the goings and comings of the Gurnawis. Some of them were among the most expert tomb robbers in Egypt.
    When Emerson announced that we would go over to the Valley immediately after luncheon I did not demur. There was still a great deal to be done around the house, but how could I content myself with dull domestic duties when archaeological fever burned all the brighter after a six months' absence?
    The direct path to the Valley leads up and over the cliffs behind the temple of Deir el Bahri. We were all in excellent spirits as we mounted the steep slope; Emerson's handsome countenance wore an anticipatory smile, and he considerately slowed his steps to match mine, allowing the children to precede us. Below lay the beautiful temple of Queen Hatshepsut, its colonnades shining in the sunlight. The air was very warm and very still. The only color was the blue of the sky overhead; white dust and sun-bleached rock stretched out ahead.
    When we reached the top of the plateau Emerson stopped and drew me to his side. I was not sorry to rest for a minute; after a summer in damp rainy England it always takes me a few days to become accustomed to the dry Egyptian climate.
    After a moment Emerson looked down at me and smiled. "Well, Peabody?"
    It was not difficult to find a way of summarizing my sentiments. With considerable emotion I said, "I am the most fortunate of women, my dear Emerson."
    "Damn right," said Emerson. "Hurry along now, we are wasting time. Oh-by the by, Peabody-"
    "Yes?"
    "You are the light of my life and the joy of my existence."
    "Damn right," I