prevent Julie's eventual marriage to Alex Savarell. And you will see ... you will see that this man, whoever he is, does not hurt my brother's only child."
"That man! You're mad if you think I'll - "
"And you are disinherited and penniless if you don't!" Randolph lowered his voice as he leaned forward." I mean this, Henry. All your life I've given you everything you ever wanted. But if you don't toe the line now, and see this thing to the bloody end, I shall remove you from the board of Stratford Shipping. I shall terminate your salary and your personal income. Now you will be on that ship. And you will keep an eye on your cousin and see she doesn't elope with that revoltingly handsome Egyptian! And you will keep me posted as to everything that is going on."
Randolph removed a slim white envelope from his breast pocket. He laid it on the bedside table. There was a thick wad of money in the envelope. Henry could see that. His father rose to go.
"And don't wire me from Cairo that you're broke. Stay away from the gaming tables and the belly dancers. I shall expect a letter or a telegram within a week's time."
Hancock was beside himself.
"Left for Egypt!" he sputtered into the telephone." But the whole collection is still there in that house! How could she do this!"
He motioned for silence to the clerk who meant to disturb him. Then he slammed down the black receiver in its hook." Sir, the newspapermen are here again, about the mummy." "Oh, damn the mummy. That woman's gone off and left that treasure locked up in her living room, as if it were a collection of dolls!"
Elliott stood beside Julie and Ramsey watching from the high railing as Alex kissed his mother at the foot of the gangplank far below.
"But I'm not here to cluck over you like a mother hen," Elliott said to Julie. Alex embraced his mother again and then hurried to board." I only want to be close at hand if you need me. Please don't be so distressed."
Lord, he meant it. It hurt him to see the look on her face.
"But Henry, why on earth has Henry come along? I don't want Henry with us."
Henry had boarded only moments before without a civil word to anyone, looking as pale and overwrought and generally miserable as he had looked the day before.
"Yes, I know." Elliott sighed." But my dear, he's your next of kin and - "
"Give me space to breathe, Elliott. You know I love Alex, I always have. But a marriage to me may not be the best thing for him. And I've been perfectly honest about it all along."
"I know, Julie, believe me, I know. I always have. But your friend - " He gestured to the distant figure of Ramsey, who was watching all the goings-on of the harbour with obvious excitement." How are we not to worry? What are we to do?"
She could not resist him. That had always been the case. One night several months back, when she'd had too much champagne and there'd been entirely too much dancing, she'd told Elliott she was more in love with him than she'd been with Alex. If he'd been free and asking for her hand, it would have been a fait accompli. Of course Alex had thought she was joking. But there had been a strange secret look in her eye that flattered Elliott immensely. And he saw a pale flicker of that same look now. And what a liar he was. What a liar he was being just now.
"All right, Elliott," she said. She kissed him on the cheek, and he loved it." I don't want to hurt Alex," she whispered.
"Yes, darling," he said." Of course."
There was a violent blast from the steam whistle. The last
call for boarding passengers. Parties had broken up in the staterooms, and a steady stream of guests was going ashore.
Suddenly Ramsey came pounding towards them. He spun Julie around as if he didn't realize his own strength. She stared blankly.
"Feel it, Julie, the vibrations. I must see these engines."
Her face softened at once. It was as if his excitement were contagious.
"Of course you must. Elliott, excuse me. I have to take Ramse ... I mean Mr. Ramsey ... to the engine room, if it can possibly be arranged."
"Allow me," Elliott said agreeably, motioning for a young officer in a