Seeing a Large Cat Read Free Page A

mustache recalled photographs I had seen of General Lee, and I supposed he had deliberately cultivated the resemblance.
    However, the benevolence that beamed from the countenance of that hero of the Confederacy was not apparent on the face of the Colonel. He must have observed the encounter, or part of it; he shot us a long look before drawing the girl's arm through his and leading her away.
    "Interesting," said Ramses, resuming his chair. "From your reaction to the mention of his name I gather your earlier meeting with Colonel Bellingham was not altogether friendly, Father. What precisely did he do to provoke your ire?"
    Emerson said forcibly, "The fellow had the audacity to offer me a position as his hired lackey. He is another of those wealthy dilettantes who are amusing themselves by pretending to be archaeologists."
    "Now, Emerson, you know that was not his real object," I said. "His offer to finance our work-an error on his part, I confess-was in the nature of a bribe. What really concerned him was-"
    "Amelia," said Emerson, breathing heavily through his nose. "I told you I refuse to discuss the subject. Certainly not in front of the children."
    "Pas devant les enfants?" Nefret inquired ironically. "Professor, darling, we are no longer 'enfants,' and I'll wager I can guess what the Colonel wanted. A chaperone, or governess, or nursery maid for that doll-faced girl! She certainly needs one."
    "According to the Colonel, it is a bodyguard she needs," I said.
    "Peabody!" Emerson roared.
    One of the waiters dropped the tea tray he was carrying, and everyone within earshot stopped talking and turned to stare.
    "It's no use, Emerson," I said calmly. "Nefret is not guessing; she knows what the Colonel was after, though how she knows I am reluctant to consider. Eavesdropping-"
    "Is cursed useful at times," said Nefret. She gave Ramses a comradely grin, and he responded with the slight curl of the lips that was his version of a smile. "Don't scold me, Aunt Amelia, I was not eavesdropping. I happened to be passing the saloon while you were talking with the Colonel, and I could not help overhearing the Professor's comments. It was not difficult to deduce from them what the subject of the conversation must be. But I cannot believe that little ninny is in danger."
    "From whom?" Ramses asked. "Surely not the fellow who was with her?"
    "I shouldn't think so," said Nefret. "Colonel Bellingham said he could not keep a female attendant for her; three of them have fallen ill or been injured under mysterious circumstances. In the last case, he claimed, a carriage driver tried to seize Dolly, and would have dragged her into the vehicle if her maid had not prevented it. He denied knowing who might have been responsible, or why anyone would want to make off with darling little Dolly."
    "Ransom?" David suggested. "They must be wealthy; she was wearing a fortune in jewels."
    "Revenge," said Ramses. "The Colonel may have enemies."
    "Frustrated love," murmured Nefret, in a saccharine voice.
    Emerson's fist came down on the table. Since I had expected this would happen I was able to catch the teapot as it tottered.
    "Enough," Emerson exclaimed. "This is precisely the kind of idle, irrelevant speculation in which this family is fond of engaging-with the sole exception of myself! I don't give a curse whether the entire criminal population of Charleston, South Carolina, and Cairo, Egypt, are after the girl. Even if it were not stuff and nonsense, it is none of our affair! Bodyguard, indeed. Change the subject."
    "Of course," Nefret said. "Ramses-how did you do that?"
    "Do what?" He glanced at the slim hand she had extended. "Oh. That."
    "Show me."
    "Nefret!" I exclaimed. "A young lady should not-"
    "I am surprised that you should take that attitude, Mother," Ramses said. "I will show you too, if you like; the trick might come in useful, in view of your habit of rushing headlong ... Er, hmm. Well, it is simply a matter of pressure on certain