Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 3 - Death in Delhi Read Free Page A

never know you're not here to play host to them after the first hour. In fact, they'll be glad you weren't on hand, for never would the potables flow so freely otherwise." She saw his grin and knew he was thinking how clever he had been to think of that very thing. Rachelle thought she would deflate him a bit.
    "However, dear Setne, weren't you too generous with the money? After all, you know that a good bit of it will end up in the servants' pockets!"
    "Of course," he replied easily. "But to gain and hide such . . . gratuities, shall we say, they will have to keep our guests happily entertained here for a long time—as long a period as the six desire to remain. They'll dream up special feasts and entertainments to have an excuse to spend the money and be able to hide a little overage that way. That keeps our guests happy, thus you and 1 are happy, and the staff is happy, too. I'm sure that old Djemer-t will tell them that their mad master even plans to give them yet more reward when he returns to find that the unhosted guests had a rollicking good time without him!"
    Rachelle was shocked at such profligacy on his part. "Setne! You won't actually give out bonuses, will you?"
    "Certainly I will—provided all was successful. The whole affair here won't be more expensive than the necklace you have just gained, something I'd have bought for you had you asked. We are about to go on an exciting journey to solve a challenging mystery, to bring a criminal to justice, if we are successful. What fun! Lastly, I will receive for my efforts a fabulously high payment, a reward for what I love to do. My dear girl, how can I not be generous to all under such circumstances?"
    Rachelle shook her curls in resignation. "Spare me the recounting of yet more, Setne. I should have known better." Then she brightened. "It will be wonderful traveling to Hind, won't it? I've never been to the East. What is it like? And when we regain the crown jewels for the maha-rajah, do you suppose he'll have more such splendid things to give to us?"
    "Hmmm ..." said the magister as if lost in thought, considering several small amulets and scarabs which he had drawn from a small inlaid coffer covered in truly repulsive runes which seemed to wiggle if watched for too long. "The maharajah is a strong and absolute monarch," Inhetep finally said as he completed his selection. "Assuming we do recover his royal paraphernalia, who can say what he will bestow upon you, my dear?"
    "Assuming? You never fail, Setne."
    "There's always a first time, Rachelle. Do keep that in mind. Well need luck and a lot of hard work to manage this one."
    Rachelle was surprised to hear him say that. "Don't be negative. Even I know that disposing of something as well known as jewels of state is almost impossible. It will be demanding— finding how the theft was accomplished, who did it, and where they hid their loot. But surely the jewels are hidden somewhere in Delhi. Your hekau will manage to set matters right, and I'll provide the ready sword as needed."
    "Not so fast. First of all, Delhi is a big city.
    the territory of the same name a state of tens of thousands of square miles. Even goods so precious and bulky as the crown jewels could be smuggled into the mountain kingdoms arcing above Delhi—Kabul, Kashmir, Sirmur, Ka-tehar. In addition, the neighboring state of Oudh to the east would happily receive the missing treasure. So too Sindraj to the south, a powerful kingdom which happens to be at war with the maharajah at this very moment." He paused a moment to consider, raising a hand to keep her from protesting. "But let's assume you are correct. The loot hasn't been smuggled away but is sequestered somewhere not far from Delhi city. Even then, this will be no easy task."
    "And why not?"
    "As our hopeful employer was so careful to point out, the crown jewels were taken through means which involved some potent heka. If you will recall, the maharajah stated that they were stolen by 'a