Read Online The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters - Free Book Online Page A

to join the party. "The princess is the heroine!"

"And why not?" I said, returning his smile. "The ancient Egyptians were among the few peoples, ancient or modern, who gave women their due. Not as often as they deserved, of course . . ."

At this point Emerson demanded the floor and, having had my say, I yielded it. He explained the plans
we had discussed earlier

"It will take a great deal of money and produce few results," said the Reverend Sayce. "The public wants monumental statues and jewels,-they are not interested in pottery scraps."

"But that should not be our concern," declared Howard. He was one of the youngest of the group and he had not lost his boyish enthusiasm. "It is a splendid idea, Professor. Exactly what is needed. I don't mean to criticize M. Loret, but you know how he went about locating the tomb last year, don't you? Sondages! Pits, dug at random— "

"I know what the word means," Emerson growled, pushing away his plate of soup. "It is a disastrous technique. The whole area of the Valley needs to be methodically cleared down to bedrock." He reared back as a waiter snatched the empty bowl and deposited the fish course in front of him. "There is small hope of that, though, so long as the Antiquities Department keeps control over the Valley and gives concessions only to its favorites."

"What about Meidum?" the Reverend Sayce suggested. "The pyramid has never been completely
cleared, and there are certainly more masta-bas in the cemeteries around it."

"Or Amarna," said Mr. Newberry. "You worked there some years ago, I believe."

A thrill of emotion ran through me. Pyramids are my passion, as Emerson quaintly puts it, but the name of Amarna will always hold a special place in my heart, for it was there Emerson and I came to know
and appreciate one another. I glanced meaningfully at my husband. He was looking meaningfully at
Mr. Newberry, and I knew, from the glint in his eye, that he was about to say something provocative.

"Yes, we did, and I am giving the site serious consideration. It is of great importance, for it offers clues
to one of the most confusing periods in Egyptian history. The archaeological remains have gone to rack and ruin since we left,- no one has done a cursed thing— "

"Now, Emerson, you exaggerate," I said quickly. "Mr. Newberry was there, and Mr. Petrie was there— "

"For one year. Typical of Petrie." Emerson abandoned his fish. Leaning back in his chair, he prepared
to enjoy himself by goading his friends. "I believe you also dropped in for a brief visit, Sayce."

The Reverend Sayce was, I am sorry to say, one of Emerson's favorite victims. A pinched, meager little man, he was regarded by many as an excellent scholar, though he had no formal training and never published anything. This failure would have been enough to inspire Emeron's contempt, and the reverend's religious convictions, of which Emerson had none, irritated him equally as much.

"I was with M. Daressy in '91," Sayce replied guardedly.

"When he found the remains of Akhenaton?" Emerson's lips stretched into the expression one may see
on the face of a dog just before it sinks its teeth into one's hand. "I read about that incredible discovery and was surprised that it was not given greater prominence. Did you actually see the mummy? Daressy mentions only scraps of mummy wrappings."

"There was a body, or the remains of one," Sayce said warily He had seen that smile on Emerson's face before.

"You examined it, of course."

Sayce flushed. "It was in wretched condition. Burned, torn to bits— "

"Very distasteful," Emerson agreed gravely. "What became of it?"

"It is in the museum, I suppose."

"No, it is not. I have examined the Journal d'Entm. There is no mention of it."

"I hope, Professor, you are not implying that my eyesight or my memory are deficient. I saw that mummy!"

"I am sure you did. I saw it myself, seven years earlier" Emerson looked at me. He was enjoying himself so much I had not the heart to