Boyce shrugged and smiled. “Then it does not matter now.” He lowered himself deftly onto the launch.
Jack watched the launch cross the harbour, leaving a cloud of smoky smuts in its wake.
“He’s trouble, that one,” Mary warned. “A lone traveller looking for antiquities? Something’s not right there, Captain Jack. He’s too self-controlled for a civilian and knows too much. How did an antiquarian know about Arabi’s head of military security?”
“You’re probably right,” Jack said. “Well, he’s safe now, aboard an American warship.” Jack agreed. “I’m glad we’ve seen the back of Albech Bey.”
“I’m glad we’ve seen the back of both of them.” Mary lit a cheroot. “Hopefully, we’ll steam away soon, and we can rejoin the Malverns. I’ll be glad to get back to England, despite Egypt’s antiquities.”
“Bac
