David shook his head. “The first place we went this afternoon was Gezirah Island. The secretary, a timid, bespeckled man, swore he had been the sole resident for the last month and had received no communications from Morgenstern. After receiving generous baksheesh, the security guard was adamant that Morgenstern had not so much as entered the villa in several months. He agreed, motivated by the prospect of a substantial reward, to alert us immediately should he spot our prey.”

Ramses snorted. “You make us sound like crocodiles on the sandbank, awaiting a tasty meal of bratwurst.”

“Have you made inquiries about the present whereabouts of Harun?” I asked.

“Not with any success,” Ramses admitted with a sigh. “He and his apprentices seem to have disappeared as if they were vermin with an underground burrow. I have made it known to certain acquaintances that I will pay handsomely for information concerning the location of his current workshop.”

“Which could be anywhere,” David added, “since he has a large family, as well as unsavory associates. His tools were missing. All he requires is a room with adequate light.”

I shrugged. “He could be anywhere in Cairo or the surrounding villages. Our best chance is to find Herr Morgenstern, although he may not know the location of Harun’s burrow, either. I doubt Mr. Russell’s men will have more success, but I will encourage him in the morning.” I paused to reflect on the undeniable significance of the bust of Queen Nefertiti. Thutmose had created his masterpiece, and then buried it beneath his studio when Amarna was abruptly abandoned to the ravages of nature and time. He had done so deeply enough that a previous archaeologist, Sir Flinders Petrie, had failed to uncover it during his expedition two decades earlier. “We cannot allow Herr Morgenstern or anyone else to deprive the world of her beauty!”

“No,” Ramses said grimly, “we cannot. Let’s go to our room, David. I feel as though I am wearing a noose around my neck. Mother, if you do not object to dining alone, we will return to the German embassy to continue our surveillance. I hired a lad to keep an eye out while we came here for tea, but he cannot watch both potential exits. Daoud will watch Harun’s shop in case Morgenstern is hovering nearby, thus relieving you from slipping out with that very intention.”

“I am aware of the danger in the dark labyrinth of Khan el-Khalili, particularly for an unaccompanied lady.” I saw no reason to admit that the idea had crossed my mind. Daoud had encountered Herr Morgenstern during previous seasons and would recognize him. What he might do if he saw him was beyond my powers of speculation.