The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters Page A

was soon dispatched. To my exceeding annoyance I found that the policeman's view of the case coincided with that of Emerson. He could hardly refuse to listen to my interpretation, but from the glances that passed among the gentlemen, not to mention Emerson's constant interruptions, I knew my views would be disregarded. "A falling-out between thieves," was the inspector's summary. "Thank you, Professor and Mrs. Emerson, for your assistance."
    "When you have located the suspect, I will come to the police station to identify him," I said.
    "Suspect?" The inspector stared at me.
    "The man I saw yesterday talking to Abd el Atti. You noted down the description I gave you?"
    "Oh. Yes, ma'am, I did."
    "That description would fit half the male population of Cairo," Emerson said disparagingly. "What you really require, Inspector, is an expert to evaluate the contents of the shop. Most of it is stolen property; it belongs by rights to the Department of Antiquities. Though heaven knows there is no one in that dusty barn of a museum who has the slightest notion of how to care for the exhibits."
    "My friends," Mr. Baehler said piteously. "Forgive me—"
    "Yes, of course," I said. "Emerson, Mr. Baehler is a busy man; I cannot imagine why you continue to take up his time. We will continue our discussion of the case elsewhere."
    However, the inspector unaccountably refused to do this. He did not even accept Emerson's offer of assistance in cataloging the contents of the shop. Emerson would have followed him, arguing, had I not detained him.
    "You can't go out on the street looking like that. Ramses has rubbed off on you. What is that blackish, sticky substance, do you suppose?"
    Emerson glanced at the front of his coat. "It appears to be tar," he said in mild surprise. "Speaking of Ramses—"
    "Yes," I said grimly. "Let us speak of, and to, that young man."
    We found John and Ramses sitting side by side on the bed, like criminals awaiting sentence—though there was little sign of guilt on Ramses' freshly scrubbed countenance. "Mama," he began, "de cat Bastet—"
    "Where is the cat?" I asked.
    Ramses became quite purple in the face with frustration. "But dat is what I am endeavoring to explain, Mama. De cat Bastet has been mislaid. When de policeman took hold of me, radder more roughly dan de circumstances required, in my opinion—"
    "Roughly, did you say?" Emerson's countenance reflected the same angry shade as that of his son. "Curse it, I knew I should have punched the villain in the jaw. Remain here, I will return as soon as I—"
    "Wait, Emerson, wait!" I caught hold of his arm with both hands and dug my heels into the mat. As we struggled, I to hold on and Emerson to free himself, Ramses remarked thoughtfully, "I would not have kicked him in de shin if he had been more courteous. To refer to me as a meddlesome imp of Satan was uncalled for."
    Emerson stopped struggling. "Hmmm," he said.
    "Forget the policeman," 1 cried. "Forget the cat. She will return of her own accord, Ramses; she is, after all, a native of the country."
    "De reputed ability of animals to cross great stretches of unknown country is exaggerated, in my opinion," said Ramses.
    "You have too many opinions," I retorted severely. "What were you doing at Abd el Atti's establishment?"
    1 find myself incapable of reproducing Ramses' explanation. His style of speech was extremely prolix, and he appeared deliberately to select as many words as possible beginning with the diphthong "th." Nor was it a convincing explanation. Ramses said he had been curious to examine further several objects he had seen in the back room of the shop during his unauthorized visit the day before. When directly questioned, he admitted he had overheard us discussing our intention of visiting Abd el Atti that night. "I meant to go wit' you," he added accusingly, "but I could not stay awake, and you, Mama, did not waken me."
    "I had no intention of taking you, Ramses."
    "I suspected dat," said