Ali’s expression indicated that I was sinking in his esteem, but he glumly accepted baksheesh and departed the room. I regarded Herr Morgenstern with little enthusiasm. I urged him to his feet and led him to the table. His eyes were vacant and he showed no awareness of the food before him. I placed the fork in his hand, but it fell from his limp fingers and bounced under the table. I picked it up, gave it a cursory wipe with a napkin, replaced it in his hand, and guided it to a morsel of beef.

“You must eat,” I said sternly. “If you do not regain your strength, you will never find the statue of Nefertiti. She will be lost to you forever. Now eat!”

He blinked as my words entered his befogged consciousness. He jabbed the fork into the bite and unsteadily guided it to his mouth. When he had repeated the action a second time, I poured him a glass of wine and retreated from his omnipresent redolence.

It was unfortunate that I could not notify Ramses and David. They would remain outside the German embassy most of the night, disguised in some fashion and hoping Gunter might lead them to Herr Morgenstern. Daoud would keep watch at Harun’s workshop until one of us appeared in person to tell him of the futility of his effort. I dared not leave Herr Morgenstern alone.

I was relieved when Ali arrived with a clean thobe, a long robe that was the length of an extended nightshirt but more elegant, followed by a pink-cheeked man, no older than Nefret, who identified himself as Dr. Forbes (no relation to my dear Evelyn, apparently). Over the years there had been several medical persons connected with the hotel, some accommodating, some needing to be instructed as to their role. The young man who arrived was new to me, but he had obviously heard of me. His eyes widened to an alarming extent when I introduced myself.

“This gentleman is suffering from a psychological illness,” I explained. “How well versed are you in such disorders?”

“Er,” said young Dr. Forbes.

“As you can see, my guest is in need of medical attention. Please take him into the bath chamber, bathe him thoroughly, and examine him for sores, wounds, and infections. After that, he will require a physical and mental evaluation. I shall greatly appreciate your diagnosis.”