Glenn Meade by The Sands of Sakkara (html) Read Free Book Online

lecturing post. But to be honest, it's Jack I'm more concerned about.'
    'What do you mean?'
    'He's bound to go back to
Germany
,
so it's likely he'll be conscripted. But he's being the optimist about how long
the war might last. He seems to think the whole thing will have blown over by
Christmas, once Hitler has his way and annexes
Poland
.'
    'He said that?'
    'I heard him mention it tonight.
And I suppose it's what a lot of people are saying. The optimists, mainly. But
me, I'm not so sure. I think if it carries on, it could be truly awful.' She
changed the subject, as if to lighten the mood. 'Still, at least we all had
this time together. It's something I'll treasure and remember. Always.'
    Their eyes met, and something
passed between them, Weaver was certain of it, and he looked at her a long time
before he made to speak, wanting to tell her how he truly felt, but then he saw
her glance away, towards the party, and suddenly she seemed ill at ease.
    'What's the matter?’
    'Noth - nothing.'
    Weaver looked back, through the
open veranda door, and noticed a thin-faced Egyptian with a hook nose, wearing
a pale linen suit, smoking a cigarette and leaning against a marble column. His
skin was pockmarked. He looked faintly sinister, and he directed a darting
glance towards them, but when he noticed Weaver staring, he disappeared into
the crowd. Weaver looked back at Rachel. 'That man - was he bothering you?'
    She shivered. 'It seems like he's
been watching me all evening.'
    'Maybe I should find out who he
is.'
    She put a hand on his arm. 'No,
don't bother, he's probably harmless. He just made me feel a little
uncomfortable, that's all.
    But he's gone now.'
    Just then two men stepped through
the open door, led by Haider, one of them the American ambassador, tall and
distinguished-looking, the other a formal-looking young Egyptian in his early
twenties, wearing the traditional Arab robe, the djellaba, with gold and silver
thread.
    Haider came forward with a smile.
'I'm afraid they're trying to sober up the visiting British professor, he's
completely plastered. But allow me to introduce the ambassador, and Kemal
Assan.'
    The ambassador shook Rachel's hand
warmly. 'Miss Stern, it's a pleasure. I'm a great admirer of your father's
work. And Kemal has been looking forward to meeting you all night. He has a
keen interest in your excavations, hardly surprising when you consider that his
father is one of the most senior officials with the Ministry of Antiquities, not
to mention a close personal friend of King Farouk.'
    Kemal Assan gave the Arab
greeting, touching his hand to his heart, then his head. 'A tremendous pleasure
to make your acquaintance, Miss Stern. My country owes you and your father's
team a great debt. You've done wonderful work. I'm certain King Farouk and the
government will want to thank you and your family for your efforts and that you
will always be honoured guests in
Egypt
.'
    'You're very kind, Kemal.' Rachel
looked out at the lights and the city, aware of the powerful stillness. 'I've
never known
Cairo
to be so quiet. It's as if a storm's about to break.'
    'There's a bad atmosphere in the
air, I'm afraid.' Assan shrugged. 'It almost seems as if the entire city is
waiting to hear what more unpleasant news the war will bring.'
    Jack Haider glanced at his watch
and said diplomatically, 'And now, gentlemen, I'm afraid I must drag you away.
Rachel's got a train to catch to
Port
Said
early tomorrow, and she needs her beauty sleep.'
    'I hope we see you in
Egypt
again very soon, Miss Stern,'
    Kemal Assan said.
    The ambassador shook all their
hands. 'Until next time. And thanks. You young people have sure done a terrific
job.'
    The ambassador and Assan left.
Jack Haider sipped his champagne, put down his glass and looked out at
Cairo
. 'You're right, it's
as quiet as the grave down there.'
    Rachel was tired, and glanced at
her watch. 'I hate to spoil the party, but I'm ready to