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."You don't believe in beating round the bush, do you?""There is no sense in that.I don't know what you have heard about her, but I intend to set the record straight and remind you that you are in no way accountable for any of her actions.""My father was not present when she.when she died?""No.Shall I tell you what really happened that day?"She nodded, her eyes wide."Her-er-association with your father followed other-er-associations of a similar nature," I said."I am giving you the bare facts, Maryam, without attempting to explain or excuse them, though you must bear in mind that she had no chance at a better life.That is tragically true of many women, but Bertha was not the sort to submit meekly.She formed a criminal organization of women and was, in a somewhat unorthodox way, a supporter of women's rights.She came to dislike me because she believed-er-""That my father was in love with you.""In essence, that is correct," I said with a little cough."Such is no longer the case, if it ever was, but jealousy drove her on several occasions to try to kill me.The final attempt occurred on the day of which I am speaking.She had taken me prisoner the previous afternoon.Thanks to your father, I was able to escape; but when I came out of the house of my friend Abdullah, where I had found refuge the night before, she was lying in wait for me.I was saved by Abdullah, who threw himself in front of me and took in his own body the bullets meant for me.Several of the men who were present-friends of ours and of Abdullah-had to wrestle her to the ground in order to get the gun away from her.I do not know-I doubt anyone knows-who actually struck the fatal blow.My full attention was on Abdullah, who lay dying in my arms.They did not set out to kill her, Maryam; they were mad with anger and grief, and she would have gone on shooting if they had not prevented her.""Abdullah," she repeated."Little Dolly's great-grandfather? Selim's father, and the grandfather of David.You all loved him very much, didn't you?"Her composure worried me.It was unnatural."Yes, we did.""They were present-Selim and David?""Why, yes.So were.See here, Maryam, if you suspect Selim or David of striking the fatal blow-""That was not what I meant.""Good Gad," I exclaimed in horror, as her meaning dawned on me."Are you suggesting that one of them-one of us-blames you for your mother's actions and wants revenge? That one of them-one of us-hired an assassin to attack you? Nonsense, child.Aside from the fact that none of us would perpetrate such an act, your true identity was unknown to us until after the event.Get it out of your head this instant."The curtains flapped violently.Maryam let out a little scream and I let out a muffled swear word as a portly form climbed laboriously through the window.Once Horus had been able to leap through it.Age and weight had taken their toll; now he had to scale the wall.Poised awkwardly on the sill, he looked round the room, spat, and vanished into the night."He was looking for Sennia," I explained."I hope you are not frightened of cats.""I like them very much.I never had one.""Don't waste your time trying to make friends with Horus.He detests all of us except Sennia and Nefret.He won't bother you again tonight.Can you sleep now?""Yes." Impulsively she put her hand on mine."Thank you.You have cleansed my mind of some very ugly thoughts."It was a pretty gesture and a pretty little speech."You do believe me, then?" I asked."It is a sad story, but we must not judge others or feel guilt for their actions.Each of us has enough on our consciences without taking on the guilt of others."FROM MANUSCRIPT HEmerson's hopes of resuming his full work schedule were doomed from the start.Only he, as his wife acerbically remarked, would have trotted blithely off to Deir el Medina when so many duties, domestic and investigative, took precedence.Immediately after breakfast she intended to help Evelyn and Walter pack for their removal to the Castle, and arrange for Maryam to move into their rooms.Lia was ordered (it was couched as a request, but no one doubted it was an order) to go through her wardrobe to see if she could find something for Maryam to wear.A long monologue, to which Ramses listened with only half an ear, explained her reasons-something about relative sizes and the absence of practical garments in the girl's wardrobe.At the last minute Nefret received an urgent summons to the clinic; the word of its opening had spread and her services were increasingly in demand.Emerson listened openmouthed to this ruthless depletion of his work force."Curse it," he exclaimed."The fill is piling up, Peabody.How long is it going to take you to pack a few clothes?""You know nothing about it, Emerson, so kindly refrain from putting your oar in." Obviously pleased with this bit of slang, she added, in a more amiable voice, "I will be along later, perhaps.You can have Ramses and David, if you like
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