The Sun Is God by Adrian McKinty Page B

the married state. Another one of Queen Emma’s “pets” is a repulsive dwarf who entertains the good lady with stories he has picked up from the German sailors at the . . .
    Miss Pullen-Burry put down her pen and stared through the open door at a perfectly naked young woman who had appeared in the camp.
    She was about twenty-two, or perhaps younger still, slender, with long black hair and very pale skin covered with mosquito bites. She was emaciated and before her sojourn here would have been considered pretty. She stood for a moment in the rain before calling out Harry’s name.
    Harry came from his hut as did Will, Kessler, and, sporting an umbrella, Miss Pullen-Burry herself.
    Introductions were made. This was Fräulein Ilse Herzen from Kiel, Helena’s maid, Harry explained.
    â€œSecretary and traveling companion to the Countess,” Fräulein Herzen corrected him in a strong Hamburg accent.
    â€œI beg your pardon,” Harry muttered.
    Both men and Miss Pullen-Burry said it was a pleasure to make her acquaintance and she replied that the pleasure was mutual.
    â€œI have been to Hamburg, a most engaging city,” Kessler said.
    â€œYou may keep it. An ugly place full of sailors whose primary interest is rape, an act they are usually too intoxicated to perform.”
    Will laughed at that.
    â€œYou, Englishman , have you come to join our community?” she asked him.
    â€œNo,” Kessler answered for them. “We have come to investigate the death of Max Lutzow under orders from the Governor of New Guinea.”
    â€œPoor Max. Dead from the malaria they said, although I think . . .” she said and her voice trailed away as she looked at Harry.
    â€œWhat do you think?” Kessler probed.
    â€œWell, if you must know, I think his death was unnatural,” she said.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Will asked, trying to avoid staring at her breasts. He hadn’t seen a European pair of breasts since . . . well, since Cape Town. These were small, pert Plattdeustch breasts, with brown nipples, but European nevertheless, and Will found himself intrigued. Intrigued by the whole package in fact. Fräulein Herzen was thin and wan but apart from the mosquito bites really quite lovely.
    â€œHe did not believe in our project. Bethman says that he mocked the island gods and the Malagan. Bethman says that he could not do that and expect to live,” she said, her eyes widening.
    â€œMy dear what can you be implying? Do you believe that the gods killed him?” Miss Pullen-Burry asked.
    Fräulein Herzen examined the English lady for a moment. “Perhaps. Who can say?” she answered brusquely.
    Harry seemed embarrassed by this. “I think malaria is a more likely explanation, Ilse.”
    â€œWhere is everyone else?” Kessler asked.
    â€œAugust sent me to tell you that he and the others are staying on Sol Island tonight so that they can greet the dawn tomorrow.” She gave a little laugh. “I do not think they were expecting such a turn in the weather!”
    â€œI suppose not,” Harry said.
    â€œThey will be soaked and cold,” Fräulein Herzen added gleefully.
    â€œAnd the sun will rise if they ask it to or not!” Will said.
    Everyone stood there in the rain for a moment not saying anything in that way that Englishmen and Germans did so well.
    â€œIt was a pleasure to meet you my dear, but perhaps I shall turn in,” Miss Pullen-Burry announced.
    â€œI shall too,” Fräulein Herzen said.
    â€œMay I escort you to your hut?” Will asked, offering the young lady his arm. “The ground is quite treacherous.”
    â€œI am quite used to it, thank you sir.”
    Will nodded. “It was very nice to meet you Fräulein Herzen.” He walked back to Lutzow’s hut and wondered if Siwa had packed the bottle of Johnnie Walker. He had just found it in his sea bag when Kessler