He found a palm reader in Indian dress standing in front of him, looking at him with gleaming eyes. He was sitting in his usual place in the Paradise. He stretched out his hand, and the man brought over a seat and sat down in front of him. He started concentrating immediately on the lines of his palm, while Isa waited patiently for the voice of the occult with a smile of resignation.

“You’ll have a long life,” the man said, “and you’ll recover from a serious illness.” He looked at his hand again. “You’ll marry twice,” he continued, “and have children.”

Isa listened with interest. The man continued. “There are many upsets in your life,” he said, “but you’ve nothing to fear because you have a will of iron. But you, you’ll risk being drowned at sea!”

“At sea?”

“That’s what your palm says. You’re an ambitious man without any consideration for others. You’ll always find an abundant means of support, but your nervousness often spoils your peace of mind.”

The man stood up, bending his head in farewell as he did.

“What’s the way out?” Isa asked him without thinking as he was about to leave.

The man looked at him inquisitively. Isa scoffed at himself and gave him a thankful gesture.