Playing with Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

addressed them in immaculate English. “By God’s grace I am called Tusun. I help the British, and it is my business to learn all there is to know about the French. I was scouting this place and saw your felucca sink. I heard you speak English.” He dropped some bundles at their feet. “Food and milk, dry blankets, and robes. I stole them from the French. You must change out of your wet clothes.”
    Tansy gazed incredulously at the supplies. “Oh, thank you,” she said gratefully.
    Mrs. Entwhistle smiled at him. “Yes, thank you very much indeed, Tusun.”
    “It is important you stay very quiet, for there are many French here, and so far they do not know of this place.”
    “Long may it stay that way,” Mrs. Entwhistle murmured.
    “Indeed so. Tell me how you came here. European women are rare in this land.”
    They explained about the loss of the Gower, and he drew a long breath. “Ah, yes, that sandbar has claimed many a ship.”
    “Many of the crew must have been rescued. If you could get us to them…?”
    “I have another plan for your salvation, lady,” he said quietly; then his glance fell upon Amanda’s ankle, which was exposed because that young lady, annoyed at not being the center of attention, began to make a fuss about her injury. “You are hurt, lady?”
    “I tripped on something and fell down the slope from the steps,” she said, stretching out her dainty foot, even now unable to resist the urge to make a conquest.
    Tusun crouched down beside her. “With your permission, let me see.” Amanda displayed no maidenly modesty as she submitted to his stranger’s hands. Tansy and Mrs. Entwhistle looked at each other, for neither of them was under any illusion about her. The chaperone in particular was dismayed, having seen enough of the world to know that Amanda often played with fire. At first Tusun gave no indication of what he thought. His expert fingers probed the slightly swollen ankle; then he nodded. “God is merciful, lady. There is no injury,” he said, then very deliberately and pointedly pulled the hem of her gown down over her foot. Amanda flushed, for there was no mistaking the silent rebuke, but for once she said nothing.
    Embarrassed, Mrs. Entwhistle sought to divert attention by telling him about Amanda’s accident. “We were seeking shelter here when a cat crossed our path, and—”
    Tusun stepped back as if scalded. “A cat?” he gasped, making a superstitious sign before him. “You saw a cat? Here?”
    “Why, yes. It was just a cat….”
    “Oh, no lady, not just a cat, not if you saw it here at Tel el-Osorkon. Long ago in the time of the pharaohs, this place was dedicated to Bastet, the cat goddess. On top of the temple mound there is a statue of a cat-headed woman, Bastet herself, seated upon a throne, with cats and kittens at her feet. Once there were a thousand cats here, but now there are none. Cats will not come here because Bastet has sent them away, to show her displeasure at no longer being worshipped.”
    Mrs. Entwhistle was adamant. “Well, I assure you we saw one.”
    Tusun made another superstitious sign. “Then it is an omen,” he murmured.
    “Good or bad?” Tansy inquired.
    He spread his hands. “That I do not know.” He glanced up as more sounds came from the loggia above them. “I must go now, for I have a task to do. You are safe until I bring help, God willing.”
    Mrs. Entwhistle got to her feet. “Bring help from where? The crew of the Cower?” she asked.
    “No. I am to meet the British frigate Lucina tonight in Aboukir Bay, to tell them what the French are doing. An officer, Lieutenant Ballard, will come ashore to consult with me. I will tell him of you, and of the Gower, and he will come for you.”
    “I see. How long will this take?”
    “I will return with the lieutenant before the night is out.”
    Mrs. Entwhistle was relieved. “Then I wish you God speed, Tusun. Ma’as salama.” Go in safety. She had been in the Levant long