Addis.'
Neither of them had recognized Nogo in the crowd of men. It was only
when he stepped forward into the light of the camp lanterns that Royan
stiffened, and such an expression of loathing flashed across her face
that Nicholas reached across surreptitiously and took her hand to
restrain her from any indiscretion. After a moment she relaxed and
composed her features.
'I am very relieved to see you, Sir Quenton-Harper.
You have given us all a very worrying few days,' said Nogo.
'I do apologize,' said Nicholas smoothly.
Please, sir, I meant no offence. It is just that we had a report from
the Pegasus Exploration Company that you and Dr Al Simma had been caught
up in a blasting accident. I was present when Mr Helm of the exploration
company warned you that they were conducting blasting in the gorge.'
'But you-' Royan flared bitterly, and Nicholas squeezed her hand hard to
stop her going on.
It was probably our own carelessness, as you suggest.
Nevertheless, Dr Al Simma has been injured and we are I both badly
shaken up by the accident. More important than that, however, is the
fact that a number of other people, camp'staff and monks from the
monastery have been killed in the shufta raid and in the blasting
accident.
As soon as we get back to Addis I will make a full statement to the
authorities.'
'I do hope that you don't think any blame attaches Nogo started, but
Nicholas cut him short.
'Of course not. Not your fault at all. You warned us about the danger of
shufta in the gorge. You were not present, so what could you have done
to prevent any of this? I would say that you have done your duty in the
most exemplary fashion.'
Nogo looked relieved. 'You are most gracious to say so, Sir
Quenton-Harper.'
Nicholas studied him for a moment longer. He seemed the most amiable of
young men behind the metal-rimmed spectacles, so concerned and eager to
please. For a moment Nicholas almost believed that he had been mistaken,
and that it had been somebody else that he had seen in the jet Ranger,
hovering over the avalanche site like a vulture searching for their dead
bodies.
Nicholas forced himself to smile in his most friendly manner. 'I would
be most grateful if you could do me a favour, Colonel.'
'Of course,'Nogo agreed readily. 'Anything at all.'
'I left a bag and one of my hunting trophies in the cavern under the
Dandera waterfall. The bag contains our passports and travellers'
cheques. Very grateful if you could send one of your men down to bring
it up for me.'
While giving Nogo directions on how to find his possessions, he derived
a perverse enjoyment from sending his would-be assassin on such a
trivial errand. Then he turned back to his friend so that Nogo would not
pick up the vindictive glint in his eyes. 'How did you get here,
