“Thank you.” Ramses tugged on his chin as he contemplated the dilemma. His foes would be armed with hypodermic needles as well as brawn. Based on David’s recollection of his attack in front of Shepheard’s Hotel and the number of armed guards surrounding the embassy when he had been rescued, there could be as many as a dozen of them. “I am going to recruit a large number of men to accompany us. David, you must stay here on the off chance that Gunter has discovered where we are. Defend the door with a footstool. I shall be back in time for us to take the night train.”

“How do you intend to find these recruits?” asked David, eyeing the footstool with doubt.

“I shall think of something,” Ramses replied loftily as he left the apartment and walked down the sunlit sidewalk to a café frequented by locals. He selected an outdoor table, ordered coffee, and pensively watched the pedestrians. When Latif appeared, not unexpectedly, Ramses gestured for him to sit down. “You did an excellent job of delivering the parcels as instructed,” he said with a smile. “Order whatever you would like.”

“Thank you, Brother of Demons. What else can I do for you? Are there more parcels to be found in Cairo? I can go to every shop that sells fake statues to tourists. There are so many shops that it may take me all day, but I will gladly do it for you.” He stopped and looked at the menu written on a chalkboard. “As soon as I finish eating, anyway.”

“I do have another mission for you, but only after you have enjoyed your meal. I want you to spread the word among the able-bodied men in the area that I, Brother of Demons, will pay five pounds English to the man who best assists me to transport a trunk to the train station this evening. Everyone else who protects us will receive handsome baksheesh.”

“Five pounds! That is a fortune. I will do it for one.”

Ramses maintained a somber expression. “That is kind of you, but I still require at least a dozen . . . recruits. Tell them that I will remain here for an hour or more to enlighten them with the details. Now decide what you would like to eat and I will order it for you.”

*  *  *