The Eye of the Serpent Read Free Page B

disdain. ‘That’s the Americans for you,’ he said. ‘Probably watched far too many motion pictures. I believe that’s what they call them.’
    Alec smiled. ‘Movies, Coates. That’s the American word. And if Father trusts him and Uncle Will trusts him, then he’ll do for me.’ Hepaused. ‘It’s going to seem odd, Uncle Will not being at the dig. I wish we knew more about what happened to him.’
    Coates sighed. ‘Perhaps we’ll learn more in due course,’ he said. ‘All I do know is that he’s not in his right mind and—’
    â€˜Excuse me. I trust you will excuse my boldness . . .’
    Alec and Coates turned in surprise. They had been approached by a complete stranger. He was a hugely obese man, dressed in a white safari suit and a wide-brimmed fedora. Beneath the brim of his hat, his face resembled a great pink blob of blancmange, beneath which a couple of chins wobbled alarmingly. He was sweating profusely and mopping at his neck with a red kerchief.
    â€˜I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation,’ said the man, who spoke with a distinct Welsh accent. ‘Wilfred Llewellyn, from the
Cairo Herald
.’ Llewellyn extended a meaty hand and Alec shook it politely. It felt unpleasantly sticky and he had to make an effort not to wipe his palm on his trousers. ‘I’m on my way down to the Valley of the Kings to do a story and I heard you mention a dig and an “Uncle Will” . . . Youcouldn’t possibly have been referring to Sir William Devlin, could you?’
    Alec and Coates exchanged glances.
    â€˜Umm . . . yes, I’m his nephew,’ said Alec cautiously.
    â€˜Astonishing! And your name would be . . .?’
    â€˜Alec. Alec Devlin.’
    â€˜Of course, Sir William has a brother, Hugh. Your father. That makes sense.’ Llewellyn reached into his jacket and pulled out a small notebook and pen. ‘I trust, dear boy, you won’t object if I make a few notes. For the record.’
    Coates frowned. ‘What’s this all about?’ he demanded.
    â€˜Oh, just gathering details, my good friend – nothing to be concerned about. We . . . journalists tend to pull in every little thing, so that later we can . . . sift through for the nuggets.’ Llewellyn had a soft, syrupy voice that Alec found distinctly irritating. ‘So you are on your way to see your uncle?’
    â€˜No, we’re going to the dig. I’ve worked up there twice before.’
    â€˜Oh, capital, absolutely capital! And if I may say so, how inspiring to meet a young man willing to work in such a dangerous environment.’
    â€˜Dangerous?’ Coates raised his eyebrows. ‘How so?’
    â€˜Oh, well, I’m no expert of course, but I would have thought out in the open like that, there must be all sorts of things that could happen. Dust storms . . . wild animals . . . bandits . . .’
    Alec grinned. ‘Judging from what’s happened before, I’d say it’s not much worse than camping out with the scouts,’ he said. ‘And besides, I’ve got Coates to look after me.’
    â€˜Coats?’ Llewellyn scribbled a note in his little book. ‘Some kind of protective clothing you wear?’
    Alec tried not to laugh.
    â€˜I’m Coates,’ said Coates, with an air of menace.
    â€˜Oh, I see! The family retainer, I suppose?’
    â€˜I prefer the word “valet”.’
    â€˜Hmm, yes, of course. And you would have a first name, Mr Coates?’
    â€˜Oh, most certainly,’ said Coates unhelpfully. ‘Look, which paper did you say you work for?’
    â€˜Er . . . the
Herald
.’
    â€˜It’s strange. I’ve lived in Cairo for many years now and I can’t say I’ve ever heard of it.’
    â€˜Oh, well . . . we’re quite