you up. You see, there is no reason why you shouldn’t attempt to steal the necklace. In your place,
I
would be tempted. But, knowing certain things, I would also be cautious.”
Now it was coming. “What things?”
“First, that the police are with us. It would not do to appeal to them for protection.”
“Protection? From what?”
“From me, Mr. Wells—assuming you try to double-cross me.”
“I’d hardly try that,” said Pete, a little guiltily, for, against his will, in the last few minutes he had considered the possibility of getting off with the treasure, selling it for himself, for Anna. They could settle down on the proceeds. But it had only been a sudden fantastic dream.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t, because, I suspect, you’re intelligent. I’m not trying to flatter you, but I can see why Hélène sent you to me. You are quick. I like that. Even so, I will tell you why you won’t attempt to cut in on us for more than the share of the proceeds we will give you.”
This was good to hear, thought Pete, wondering if it was true, if Said was serious. “You mean I’ll get something on top of what I’m getting now?”
“When the sale is completed, yes. But I was explaining to you the reasons why I feel you will be too clever to try to outwit us. In Egypt we have the police, as I have said, and that is very important. Outside of Egypt we are connected with an organization that I have no intention of discussing with you. Only bear in mind that no matter where you are in the world, we have agents, and should you try anything unpleasant, you will be killed.”
“I get you,” said Pete, conscious of the sweat trickling down his side under the thin sport shirt he was wearing. He had a clearer idea of Said now. The tie-up was unexpected but logical. Said was obviously a member of an international crime syndicate, or connected with one for business reasons. He was almost certain, too, that the Egyptian was in the dope business and that smuggling antiquities was only a side line with him.
“I’m glad you do, Peter, if I may call you by your first name.”
“Call me Pete.” For some reason he wanted to keep the name Peter for Anna alone.
“Pete it is, then.” Said smiled kindly. “I think we begin to understand each other.”
“How far am I to go with the necklace?”
“To Europe, I think. That’s all I can tell you for the moment. When the details have been worked out, Hélène will tell you. We will have no idea until we have accepted an offer, and that will take several days, at least. Meanwhile, you can enjoy yourself in Cairo.”
“With a hundred thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry on me? Not on your life.”
Said laughed. “You won’t be suspected.”
“I already am.” And Pete told him about his meetings with Mohammed Ali.
Said frowned. “It is not too bad, of course. The Inspector is an old friend of ours. I think it unlikely he will try to take the necklace away from you. Be on your guard, though. Keep it with you all the time, or if you hide it, hide it well.”
Then Pete asked about the one aspect of the plot that still mystified him.
“What’s the point of roping me into this? Why can’t you take the necklace yourself down to Cairo and get it out of Egypt? If you’ve taken care of the police, who are you worried about?”
The Egyptian’s face set suddenly, involuntarily, but then, in a flash, it was relaxed again as he said, “It is our way. We need a courier, someone who can take care of himself. As for danger—well, there is plenty of it, and that’s why we hired you. I can’t tell you any more.” And that was the end of that.
Said moved slowly now through the columns, Pete at his side. “The necklace has had an interesting history,” said the Egyptian as they came out into the sun again and stood before an enormous obelisk, guarded by a small granite sphinx. “The Queen’s original tomb was robbed over two thousand years ago; she was moved then to
I
would be tempted. But, knowing certain things, I would also be cautious.”
Now it was coming. “What things?”
“First, that the police are with us. It would not do to appeal to them for protection.”
“Protection? From what?”
“From me, Mr. Wells—assuming you try to double-cross me.”
“I’d hardly try that,” said Pete, a little guiltily, for, against his will, in the last few minutes he had considered the possibility of getting off with the treasure, selling it for himself, for Anna. They could settle down on the proceeds. But it had only been a sudden fantastic dream.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t, because, I suspect, you’re intelligent. I’m not trying to flatter you, but I can see why Hélène sent you to me. You are quick. I like that. Even so, I will tell you why you won’t attempt to cut in on us for more than the share of the proceeds we will give you.”
This was good to hear, thought Pete, wondering if it was true, if Said was serious. “You mean I’ll get something on top of what I’m getting now?”
“When the sale is completed, yes. But I was explaining to you the reasons why I feel you will be too clever to try to outwit us. In Egypt we have the police, as I have said, and that is very important. Outside of Egypt we are connected with an organization that I have no intention of discussing with you. Only bear in mind that no matter where you are in the world, we have agents, and should you try anything unpleasant, you will be killed.”
“I get you,” said Pete, conscious of the sweat trickling down his side under the thin sport shirt he was wearing. He had a clearer idea of Said now. The tie-up was unexpected but logical. Said was obviously a member of an international crime syndicate, or connected with one for business reasons. He was almost certain, too, that the Egyptian was in the dope business and that smuggling antiquities was only a side line with him.
“I’m glad you do, Peter, if I may call you by your first name.”
“Call me Pete.” For some reason he wanted to keep the name Peter for Anna alone.
“Pete it is, then.” Said smiled kindly. “I think we begin to understand each other.”
“How far am I to go with the necklace?”
“To Europe, I think. That’s all I can tell you for the moment. When the details have been worked out, Hélène will tell you. We will have no idea until we have accepted an offer, and that will take several days, at least. Meanwhile, you can enjoy yourself in Cairo.”
“With a hundred thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry on me? Not on your life.”
Said laughed. “You won’t be suspected.”
“I already am.” And Pete told him about his meetings with Mohammed Ali.
Said frowned. “It is not too bad, of course. The Inspector is an old friend of ours. I think it unlikely he will try to take the necklace away from you. Be on your guard, though. Keep it with you all the time, or if you hide it, hide it well.”
Then Pete asked about the one aspect of the plot that still mystified him.
“What’s the point of roping me into this? Why can’t you take the necklace yourself down to Cairo and get it out of Egypt? If you’ve taken care of the police, who are you worried about?”
The Egyptian’s face set suddenly, involuntarily, but then, in a flash, it was relaxed again as he said, “It is our way. We need a courier, someone who can take care of himself. As for danger—well, there is plenty of it, and that’s why we hired you. I can’t tell you any more.” And that was the end of that.
Said moved slowly now through the columns, Pete at his side. “The necklace has had an interesting history,” said the Egyptian as they came out into the sun again and stood before an enormous obelisk, guarded by a small granite sphinx. “The Queen’s original tomb was robbed over two thousand years ago; she was moved then to
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