Free The Eye of the Serpent by Philip Caveney Page A

absolutely horrified. ‘That won’t be necessary,’ he said. ‘The Hintons have agreed to finance a room at the Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor.’
    Ethan raised his eyebrows. ‘Nice. Uncle Obadiah always used to say the best thing about the job was the perks. Maybe I went into the wrong line of work. It’s comfortable there.’
    â€˜Very comfortable,’ agreed Alec. ‘Hot showers, ceiling fans, the best food for miles around . . . But of course, you won’t be doing it properly like us.’
    â€˜I’ll live with myself somehow,’ said Llewellyn.
    â€˜I’m sure you will,’ said Ethan. ‘But, Mr Llewellyn, I got to warn you. If you’re asking questions
anywhere
, please be discreet. Whatever you do, don’t go telling people that we found a tomb. It’s a sensitive situation and I’m trying to keep a tight lid on it. The last thing I want is for this to get leaked to the newspapers. And listen, the native workers on the dig . . . I’ve kind of given them the impression that Tom went back to England—’
    â€˜You did what?’ cried Llewellyn.
    â€˜You need to understand, they’re a superstitious crowd. If I let them think for one moment that something strange is going on, they’ll be out of that site quicker than you can say Abraham Lincoln.’
    â€˜And your colleagues?’
    â€˜They know something screwy happened, and of course they’re all concerned about what might have become of Tom . . . but they also know how important a find this is, and they hate newspapermen every bit as much as I do. I wouldn’t think private investigators figure very highly on their Christmas lists either, but if you think any of ’em are holding out on you, tell ’em to come see me and I’ll put ’em straight.’
    â€˜Thank you, Mr Wade,’ said Llewellyn gravely. ‘I appreciate that.’
    â€˜That goes for you too, Mohammed,’ added Ethan. ‘Anything you just overheard is top secret. If it gets back to me that you’ve been blabbing, my team will be getting its goodies from a different trader.’
    â€˜I understand,
effendi
,’ said Mohammed. ‘My lips are sealed. But for now we must decide what we are going to do with you. With allMr Llewellyn’s luggage, there is no room in the automobile for more passengers.’
    â€˜Hmm?’ Ethan gazed along the empty road for a few moments. ‘I guess we could just dump his luggage—’
    â€˜What?’ cried Llewellyn, getting up out of his seat.
    â€˜Aw, relax, I’m just joshing you,’ laughed Ethan. ‘No, Mohammed, maybe you could drive Mr Llewellyn on up to the dig and send Mickey back to collect us in the other Crossley.’
    â€˜Perhaps, but after the trouble you have just experienced, I am reluctant to leave you out here alone. Those other hyenas might come back. May I suggest that you and this valiant young man come and stand on the running boards of my fine Ford automobile, and in this manner I will convey you to your destination.’
    Ethan looked doubtful but he waved Alec to the Ford and the two of them clambered into position on either side of it.
    â€˜Think this thing will take our weight?’ muttered Ethan, bouncing up and down on the rickety board.
    Mohammed gave him a look. ‘Mr Wade, did you not just promise to stop making fun of myautomobile?’ he said. ‘We could, of course, drive back to your magnificent Crossley and stand on the running boards of that, but strangely it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.’
    Ethan laughed. ‘All right, point taken,’ he said. ‘I guess we’ll just have to put our trust in the engineering skills of Mr Henry Ford.’
    Mohammed started up the automobile and eased it slowly back onto the firmer surface of the road. ‘There now,’ he said. ‘Are you both quite