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III
Humming softly under her breath, her eyelids lowered, Nofret called
Henet.
Henet came running, stopped, exclaimed. Nofret cut short her exclama-
tions.
‘Fetch me Kameni. Tell him to bring his pencase and ink and papyrus.
There is a letter to be written to the master.’
Henet’s eyes were fixed on Nofret’s cheek.
‘To the master…I see…’
Then she asked: ‘Who did–that?’
‘Kait.’ Nofret smiled quietly and reminiscently.
Henet shook her head and clicked her tongue.
‘All this is very bad–very bad…certainly the master must know of it.’ She
darted a quick, sideways look at Nofret. ‘Yes, certainly Imhotep must
know.’
Nofret said smoothly: ‘You and I, Henet, think alike…I thought that we
should do so.’
From the corner of her linen robe she detached a jewel of amethyst set
in gold and placed it in the woman’s hand.
‘You and I; Henet, have Imhotep’s true welfare at heart.’
‘This is too good for me, Nofret…You are too generous…such a lovely bit
of workmanship.’
‘Imhotep and I appreciate fidelity.’
Nofret was still smiling, her eyes narrow and cat-like.
‘Fetch Kameni,’ she said. ‘And come with him. You and he together are
witnesses of what has occurred.’
Kameni came a little unwillingly, his brow puckered.
Nofret spoke imperiously:
‘You remember Imhotep’s instructions–before he left?’
‘Yes,’ said Kameni.
‘The time has come,’ said Nofret. ‘Sit and take ink and write as I tell you.’
Then as Kameni still hesitated, she said impatiently, ‘What you write shall
be what you have seen with your own eyes and heard with your own
ears–and Henet shall confirm all I say. The letter must be despatched with
all secrecy and speed.’
Kameni said slowly, ‘I do not like–’
Nofret flashed out at him: ‘I have no complaint against Renisenb. Renis-
enb is soft, weak and a fool, but she has not tried to harm me. Does that
content you?’
The colour of Kameni’s bronze face deepened.
‘I was not thinking of that–’
Nofret said smoothly:
‘I think you were…Come now–fulfil your instructions–write.’
‘Yes, write,’ said Henet. ‘I’m so distressed by all this– so terribly dis-
tressed. Certainly Imhotep must know about it. It’s only right that he
should. However unpleasant a thing is, one has to do one’s duty. I’ve al-
ways felt that.’
Nofret laughed softly.
‘I’m sure you have, Henet. You shall do your duty! And Kameni shall do
his office. And I–I shall do what it is my pleasure to do…’
But still Kameni hesitated. His face was sullen–almost angry.
‘I do not like this,’ he said. ‘Nofret, you had better take a little time to
think.’
‘You say that to me!’
Kameni flushed at her tone. His eyes avoided hers, but his sullen expres-
sion remained.
‘Be careful, Kameni,’ said Nofret smoothly. ‘I have great influence with
Imhotep. He listens to what I say–so far he has been pleased with you–’
She paused significantly.
‘Are you threatening me, Nofret?’ asked Kameni, angrily.
‘Perhaps.’
He looked angrily at her for a moment or two–then he bent his head.
‘I will do as you say, Nofret, but I think–yes, I think–that you will be
sorry.’
‘Are you threatening me, Kameni?’
‘I am warning you…’
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