Phantoms of the Pharaoh Read online

  "Ladies?" asked Fowler.

  "I think I'll just spend some time out here for a bit. It's such a wonderful day," said Frances. "I'll be back in time to leave."

  "I'll keep her company, and make sure she doesn't get into any trouble."

  Fowler nodded his head and then walked off north towards the canopy.

  Eight

  "Are you all right, Fran?" asked Florence.

  Frances looked at her with a furrowed brow.

  "Quite all right, Flo," said Frances, "why do you ask?"

  "You seem distracted."

  "Yes, I suppose I am."

  "What about."

  Frances turned to face the Pyramid of Menkaure. As she did so she saw Albert and Abigail exit the queen's pyramid and head west.

  "That's Albert and Abigail," she said.

  Florence turned to look and shielded her eyes from the sun.

  "Why yes, I think you're right."

  "It's curious, Flo, they snuck into the queen's pyramid and now they're sneaking out. It's as if they don't want to be seen."

  "How can you tell?"

  "Well, they're taking the long way back to the canopy. It would be much easier for them to walk diagonally northeast towards our meeting place, than to head west around the pyramids."

  "I see what you mean."

  "Further, there are now four men heading to the very same place that Albert and Abigail just exited."

  "Who?"

  Frances pointed to Simon who was the closest to them. Then she pointed to Maurice.

  "Simon and Maurice are over there. Then if you look straight ahead," and Frances pointed towards the Pyramid of Khafre, "you'll see Nigel and Samuel."

  "They're heading towards the Pyramid of Menkaure," said Florence.

  "No, I don't think so, Flo," said Frances, "I think they're heading towards the queen's pyramid on the south side of Menkaure's pyramid."

  "You can't be sure... can you?" asked Florence.

  They both watched the four men, as Albert and Abigail disappeared from sight.

  "Let's wait and see," said Frances.

  They watched and waited. And indeed, the four men made their way to the queen's pyramid independently, separated by minutes from each other.

  "I don't think we're going to be leaving on time," said Frances.

  "What do you suppose they want with the queen's pyramid?" asked Florence.

  "Let's walk back to the canopy. I could use some water," said Frances, as she turned and the two of them started off towards the meeting area. "I'm not quite sure. They could possibly be looking for hidden treasure."

  "But the treasure has either been stolen or placed in museums," said Florence.

  "That's correct. But do you remember when we were leaving this morning from the hotel, and Abigail's suitcase fell and opened?"

  Florence nodded.

  "She seemed quite embarrassed by it."

  "Well, I think she was embarrassed because of the jewelry that fell out."

  "That's nothing to be embarrassed by if it were her own valuables."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, I believe that the jewelry, the ankh and the bowl were items that had been previously stolen from Menkaure's pyramid."

  "How do you know?" asked Florence.

  "I've studied the theft before, and I've seen pictures of the remaining jewels that were recovered from pyramid as well as those recovered after they had been sold by the thieves."

  "Do you know who the thieves are?"

  "I think I do, though they were never charged, as the valuables were never found. They had hid them well, and wouldn't give out the location to the police. They swore they were innocent."

  "So what is the importance of this stolen jewelry?"

  "Well, I have a theory. I can't prove it, but you know me, I like to think about these things. I asked myself, why would Abigail bring jewelry with her on a cruise in Egypt."

  "She said she'd picked up some mementos," offered Florence, knowing that she couldn't have, but wanting to hear Frances' take on it.

  "That's right, except that she came over on the boat with us from Greece. She couldn't have bought any of those sorts of trinkets from Alexandria. In any event, I feel fairly confident that they're not just tourist souvenirs, that they're the real stolen jewels. So, if we accept that, then why bring them here to Egypt."

  They continued walking leisurely towards the canopy.

  "Perhaps she was hoping to sell them to someone here who understood their value."

  Frances looked up at her for a moment.

  "Perhaps, though I'm certain she'd get more money for those items in Europe or England. No, I think she brought them here perhaps to return them to their rightful place."

  "Really?" asked Florence.

  Frances nodded.

  "Do you have a better explanation?"

  "No, but it seems quite far fetched. I mean, do you think she's just going to leave it in the king's burial chamber?"

  "Possibly."

  "But that's open, and apparently it could be found by anyone else venturing in."

  "You have a good point, Flo, but that's what I think she might have done, however naïvely it might seem. She couldn't go to the museum to drop them off. There would be too many questions asked. Perhaps she was going to inform the authorities in due time before it could be stolen a second time."

  "You do have quite the active imagination," said Florence.

  "It can't be helped," said Frances, smiling at her friend. "I've had to unearth the truth of so many murders, I suppose that's the way my mind works."

  "Well," said Florence, taking Frances by the elbow, "I hope that nothing that nefarious is underfoot. I really hope we can just look forward to a wonderful, uneventful cruise down the Nile."

  "Oh yes, I'm sure we will. It is however, admirable that she's gone to put back what isn't hers."

  "You could always ask her about it," said Florence.

  Frances stopped and looked at her friend.

  "I don't think I shall, Flo. I don't want to stir any hornets' nests, and make the rest of the journey uncomfortable. No harm has been done, and I'm not here to investigate a theft from fifty years ago, especially when the thieves are probably dead and certainly not here."

  Florence smiled, and they walked the rest of the way to join those who were waiting under the canopy. When they got there, Frances and Florence took a glass of fresh water that a waiter offered them. They sat back down in the chairs they had been in before they left.

  "Did you see that couple who were sitting with you at lunch?" asked Captain Wainscott.

  "You mean Albert and Abigail?" asked Frances.

  "I think so, I didn't get their names."

  "Yes it was Albert and Abigail."

  "I said to that other chap, I think his name is Samuel, if I overheard correctly, that I wondered why they were going back to see Khufu's pyramid. He said they weren't."

  "What else did he say?" asked Frances.

  "Nothing, he went to the bus and took out a physician's bag from his suitcase and then he headed off over there," said Wainscott, pointing towards the eastern cemetery.

  "I see," said Frances, "and you're sure it was a physician's bag?"

  "Well, the bag, yes. Though I have no idea if he's a doctor or not."

  "I saw Albert and Abigail venturing towards the Pyramid of Menkaure," said Frances, taking a sip of water.

  "Don't you find that odd? I mean, why would they take the long way?" asked Captain Wainscott. "I told Lady Pompress that I thought it curious but she didn't think anything of it."

  "It's not that I thought nothing of it, Timmy, it's just that it isn't any of our business," said Lady Pompress.

  Captain Wainscott looked at her and then back at Frances eagerly.

  "You're right, Captain, it is quite curious that they took the long way there. Why do you think that is?" asked Frances.

  "Good heavens, me? I have no idea. Perhaps they didn't want to be seen."


  "Yes, but why?" asked Frances.

  "Perhaps they were hoping to find some hidden treasure inside the secret chambers of the Pyramid of Menkaure."

  "But they've all been stolen or moved, Timmy," said Lady Pompress.

  "Right," said Wainscott, putting his hand through his hair.

  "Maybe they just wanted some time alone, and didn't want anyone following them," said Lady Pompress.

  "How are you feeling, dear?" asked Frances, looking at Lady Pompress.

  Lady Pompress looked over at Frances without a smile.

  "Fine," she said.

  "I just can't help thinking that there is some sort of mystery underfoot," said Wainscott, looking at Frances. "It would be so thrilling to see you working a case. You would let me help you, wouldn't you?"

  "Well, I certainly hope that nothing untoward is going on. Florence and I are really just looking forward to a relaxing vacation."

  "Aren't we all," said Lady Pompress coolly, and Frances wasn't all that sure what she meant by the comment.

  Captain Wainscott smoothed his mustache and looked around out towards the pyramids for a while. Then he turned back to Frances and Florence.

  "I wonder where the others went?" he asked.

  "Simon told us he was going off to see the Pyramid of Menkaure to see if he could find any hidden treasure."

  Wainscott nodded.

  "And the others?"

  Frances looked out towards the Pyramid of Menkaure. It was far away, but she couldn't make out any of their forms.

  "Hard to say, but I have a feeling that they've all headed to that pyramid too."

  "Why on earth?"

  Frances smiled at him. He seemed like a naïve, if good natured, young man.

  "Perhaps they're all looking for buried treasure, just like Simon."

  Wainscott smiled.

  "Though that seems odd. Didn't Perry tell us that what hadn't been stolen had been taken safely to museums?"

  "He did. But there is no understanding the effervescent hope the heart holds dear in both love and riches," said Frances.

  "Have you ever found the secret chambers?" asked Captain Wainscott.

  Frances nodded.

  "Many years ago, when I was here before, my husband and I toured the whole area thoroughly. The secret chambers are not hard to find. They have been kept open now that they're empty."

  "And were they truly empty of valuables?" asked Captain Wainscott, as wide-eyed as a doe-eyed schoolboy with his first crush.

  "It appeared truly empty. Not even the sarcophagus was there. But then again, I wasn't hunting for jewelry."

  "Of course not," said Lady Pompress, under her breath "you had no need for more riches."

  Frances turned and looked at her.

  "I beg your pardon."

  Lady Pompress turned and offered Frances a false smile.

  "I said, I didn't suppose you were here looking for riches."

  "Don't mind Abby," said Wainscott, leaning in towards Frances, "I think she's just a little bit under the weather from the heat."

  Lady Pompress shot him daggers.

  "Don't presume to speak for me, Timothy," she said, coldly. "I feel much better."

  "Well, that's jolly good," he said.

  She remained silent. Fowler looked at his watch, it was four fifteen, everyone was supposed to be meeting here at this particular time. He looked out over the Giza pyramid complex. He surveyed it steadily but he couldn't find anyone. He strode off towards the bus, and shared a few words with Darius who was sitting on the stool as if he had not moved, smoking a cigarette. Fowler walked up into the bus and reappeared moments later with a pair of binoculars.

  He came back under the canopy and looked around the complex with the binoculars. There was no sign of them. He decided he would give them until four twenty and then he'd go looking for them.

  "It is terribly inconsiderate of the others," said Lady Pompress, looking at her watch which was coming on four twenty. "Who do they honestly think they are? So selfish."

  "I know, dear, I'm sure Perry will go looking for them soon if they don't show up."

  "Go tell him to," said Lady Pompress.

  "In a little while."

  "No, I'm hungry and I'm tired of sitting here doing nothing. Go and tell him now."

  "No, my dear. I will if he hasn't gone to find them by four thirty."

  Lady Pompress sighed heavily and shook her head at him. Then she turned her head towards the right away from them all. So he does have a spine, though Frances, smiling ever so slightly to herself.

  Fowler came up to her and Frances and Florence.

  "You thought they were all heading to the Pyramid of Menkaure?" he asked. He stroked his bushy mustache, and for the first time the whole day she'd known him, Fowler was no longer smiling.

  "I thought so, yes. I think they're all heading towards the queen's pyramid to explore the secret chambers."

  Frances looked past Fowler as movement caught her eye. Fowler turned around. Albert and Abigail strode under the canopy. Albert was sweating. The front of his shirt was stained and he wiped at his brow with a handkerchief.

  "Sorry we're late," he said, trying to put on a brave smile. "It's so easy to get lost in time exploring."

  "Where were you?" asked Fowler non-combatively.

  "We went for a quick look at the secret chambers inside Menkaure's pyramid. A little disappointing as there's nothing in there."

  Fowler nodded. Abigail sat down and closed her umbrella. She was glowing too, and was patting her face with a handkerchief of her own.

  "Did you see any of the others?" asked Fowler.

  "Who?" asked Albert.

  "Mr. Simon Gragg, Mr. Maurice Gabberdeen, Mr. Nigel Durmott or Mr. Samuel Newton."

  Albert shook his head.

  "I'm afraid not. Were they going there too?"

  His voice gave off the smallest quaver of anxiety even though he tried to hide it.

  "We believe that's where they were all headed."

  "I see," he said, and he looked pained. He looked over at Abigail quizzically. She smiled thinly at him. He walked off towards the bus, carrying his rucksack that didn't look quite empty. Darius opened up the back, and he took out his luggage and went around to the far side of the bus. When he returned, he was carrying only his suitcase which he put back into the rear of the bus. His rucksack was gone. Presumably put back into his luggage. He sat back down next to his sister. They exchanged looks but didn't say anything.

  Fowler looked at his watch. It was now after four twenty-five. He brought the binoculars back up to his eyes and scanned the complex again. He saw Simon walking towards them. He was in the far side of the eastern cemetery.

  "Here comes Mr. Gragg," he said, more for his own edification than anyone else's.

  They all sat or stood, in Fowler's case, and watched Simon slowly loom bigger as he made his way towards them. It was almost four thirty when he strode under the canopy, grinning widely as if he had just found salvation. He looked at his watch.

  "Just on time, I believe," he said.

  "We were actually hoping to leave at this time," said Fowler. "We’re scheduled to meet here at four fifteen."

  "My mistake," said Simon. "Terribly sorry about that."

  He walked up to one of the tables and poured himself a glass of water. Fowler turned to watch him.

  "Mr. Gragg," he said.

  Simon turned, with the glass of water to his lips.

  "Did you see Mr. Gabberdeen, Mr. Durmott or Mr. Newton at all?"

  Simon shook his head and then drank the rest of the water. He took off his hat and wiped his brow with a hankie that was already quite damp.

  "No, I'm afraid I didn't see anyone else."

  "Were you visiting the Pyramid of Menkaure?" asked Fowler.

  "No. I was actually looking at the builders' quarters on the far west side. Quite astonishing the poor accommodations they had considering the magnificence they were building."


  "Didn't you tell us you were going to explore the secret chambers?" asked Fowler.

  "Yes I did, Perry," said Simon, "but I changed my mind. I'm allowed to do that, aren't I?"

  "Quite."

  He turned around and looked out again over the complex, looking through his binoculars. Lady Pompress looked sternly at Captain Wainscott and nodded at Fowler. Captain Wainscott stood up.

  "Perry," he said, as he walked up to him. "Perhaps we should send a search party?"

  Fowler turned to look at him and nodded. Then he turned back to face Lady Marmalade.

  "You're quite sure you saw them heading towards the Pyramid of Menkaure?"

  "I am, though to be honest, Perry, I didn't see any of them enter," said Frances.

  "Thank you, Frances," said Fowler, regaining his smile. He turned back to Captain Wainscott. "Would you care to join me on this search mission?"

  "Certainly," said Wainscott.

  "Then let's be about our business," said Fowler, and then turning to the group. "We won't be long."

  "I hope this won't be a regular occurrence," said Orpha. "I didn't pay all this money just to sit around and wait on stragglers."

  She looked at Fowler with a raised eyebrow and tight, thin lips. She was not pleased, though it seemed to Frances that she had not been pleased since Frances had first laid eyes upon her.

  "Not if I can help it," said Fowler, maintaining his composure.

  He nodded to the group and strode off with Captain Wainscott at his side. Wainscott was saying something to him as they walked off through the eastern cemetery at a brisk pace, heading right towards the Pyramid of Menkaure. It had gone past four thirty.

  Simon walked over to the bus and placed his rucksack back inside his suitcase. He then returned back to the canopy and sat at the far end, closest to the bus and looked out towards the pyramids. Mahulda looked at him shyly. It was plain to see that she fancied him. He smiled at her, and she quickly looked away and stuck her nose back into her book. Frances noticed the book was titled Death Comes as the End. A mystery set in ancient Egypt and written by the great Agatha Christie. Frances had read it and enjoyed it immensely.

  The sun was slowly dipping towards the western horizon. The shadows were growing longer. The sun had dipped just below the top of Khufu's pyramid, giving it a tremendous glow. Florence stood up and took out her camera and composed the shot she wanted to take.