He started speaking slowly and sarcastically:
“First, excuse us from believing the story of the hunting expedition. It seems to me that Haj Rida and you, sir, are involved in smuggling. I beg your pardon, let me finish. Haj Rida believes that smuggling people on the return journey is a trivial matter, so he leaves it to you—while you in turn leave him the smuggling of more important things, for a reasonable share of the profits. Or do you think he doesn’t know you smuggle people on the return journey?”
Abul Khaizuran smiled broadly, showing his clean white teeth again. He seemed not to want to answer Assad. Marwan blurted out:
“And the story of the hunt?”
Assad replied:
“The story of the hunt is cooked up for the frontier guards, not for us. But Abul Khaizuran sees no harm in telling it….”
Abul Khaizuran smiled more broadly than before and began to exchange glances with the men, without saying a word. For a moment he looked like an idiot. Abu Qais remarked:
“But what does Haj Rida smuggle? You said that he’s rich.”
They all looked at Abul Khaizuran, who suddenly stopped smiling, his face again taking on an expression of carelessness and authority. He spoke decisively:
“And now, that’s enough chatter. You mustn’t think, Mr. Assad, that you’re so clever. What have you decided?”
Assad said quietly:
“Personally, I’m only interested in reaching Kuwait. I’m not concerned with anything else. That is why I shall travel with Abul Khaizuran.”
Marwan said excitedly:
“I will go along with you both.”
Abu Qais said:
“Do you think that I’m capable of accompanying you? I’m an old man.”
Abul Khaizuran laughed violently, then linked his arm with Abu Qais’s. “Aha! Ah, Abu Qais, who’s given you the idea that you’re so old? Umm Qais, perhaps? You must come with us.”
They had walked a few steps forward and left Marwan and Assad standing by the big concrete seat. Abul Khaizuran looked back over his shoulder and shouted:
“Abu Qais will sleep in the lorry with me. I’ll come and sound my horn in front of the hotel tomorrow morning, early.”

THE ROAD