The Sun Is God by Adrian McKinty

that Miss Pullen-Burry be given a hut temporarily to prepare her toilet.
    â€œAnd we will need a place too if we’re going to be staying here tonight,” Will suggested.
    Harry sprung out of the hammock, oblivious to the fact that somehow his penis had become erect during this reverie about accommodation and the history of swimming. “I do not know where you should go,” Harry said and stroked his beard.
    â€œThe lady must go somewhere,” Kessler insisted.
    After some humming and ha-ing, during which Harry’s erection subsided, he suggested that Miss Pullen-Burry might share Helena’s hut, while Will and Kessler could take Lutzow’s old place.
    â€œHelena?” Miss Pullen-Burry wondered. “You mean there are women here?”
    â€œOh yes.”
    â€œHow many?” Kessler inquired.
    â€œThree. Helena: the Countess Höhenzollern, her companion Fräulein Herzen, and Fräulein Schwab,” Harry said to the astonished newcomers.
    â€œThree women!” Kessler said, shocked.
    â€œAnna has her own hut and Fräulein Herzen and Helena are together, but there is ample room in the dwelling of the Countess, so perhaps she would not be put out by the additional company. I will show you the way,” Harry said. He directed the two Kanak bearers first to the Countess’s large hut, which it turned out had three chambers, two camp beds, a double bed, and a private commode.
    â€œRemarkable!” Miss Pullen-Burry said and she would have been even more amazed had she not spent the previous week at Emma Forsayth’s palatial home.
    Harry then led the men to Lutzow’s former dwelling, which had no bed or furniture save a solitary and rather rickety looking chair and table and a hammock hanging from the ceiling. “We stripped the place after Max died but when August returns, he will get something for you, I imagine,” Harry said.
    â€œThis is perfectly adequate. I have brought my own bed; Will can take the hammock,” Kessler said.
    â€œOh? Then I will leave you to it, gentlemen. You know where the well is, but I shall have some utensils brought in. If you will pardon me, I have writing to catch up with,” Harry said.
    â€œOne moment. I would like to ask you some questions about the circumstances surrounding Lutzow’s death,” Will said.
    Harry shrugged. “The person to talk to is Anna—Fräulein Schwab.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œShe was with him when he died. She comforted him as he breathed his last.”
    â€œMiss Schwab was there when Lutzow died?”
    â€œOh yes. She held his hand. She was very upset, as you can imagine.”
    â€œAnd Miss Schwab is where, now?”
    â€œSol Island with the others.”
    â€œAnd how did she say that Lutzow died?” Will asked.
    Harry seem puzzled. “Malaria! He died of the malaria.”
    â€œMalaria? Are you sure?”
    â€œYes! Doctor Bethman diagnosed it. He was quite positive and August has seen many cases, of course. We knew immediately.”
    â€œSo you’re saying that Lutzow died of malarial fever and that he held this Miss Schwab’s hand as he died?” Will checked.
    â€œYes. Anna was quite distraught. Will that be all? I have my correspondence . . .”
    â€œThat will be all . . . for now ,” Will said.
    Harry bowed and departed.
    â€œAn agreeable young man,” Kessler said.
    â€œYou think so? He seems a little unhinged to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he killed Lutzow and all the others or if he tried to cut our throats as soon as we fall asleep. It’ll be up to you to save us, Klaus; that hammock has death trap written all over it.”
    Kessler was in no mood for English humor.
    â€œHe insists that malaria killed Lutzow.”
    â€œHe’s lying.”
    â€œI found him quite sincere.”
    â€œHow do you explain the water in Lutzow’s lungs?”
    â€œI do not