She reminded him of her. Ten, maybe more years ago, the name long forgotten but the moment recaptured in its entirety. The girl of long past was of no consequence, but here she was now, bringing back the past, calling out, just as his father was doing. A call from the dead that brought him from the sea to this exciting, teeming city. She gave him a fleeting glance full of meaning, then quickly turned her face toward the hotel lounge on her right. Saber walked up to the desk, where the old man was bent over a large register, a magnifying glass in his trembling hand. The old man did not notice him, so he stole a glance at the woman and assured himself of the promise he had first detected. She glanced back at him with a touch of scorn and nudged the old man, upon which Saber immediately greeted him. “Good evening, sir.”

The old man raised his head to display a deeply lined face with a prominent hooked nose. The look in his pale eyes indicated a total lack of interest in the whys and wherefores of this world.

“I’m looking for a room,” Saber said.

“Twenty piasters a night.”

“And if I stay for two weeks?”

“Twenty piasters is worth nothing nowadays.”

“I might stay for a month or more.”

The old man gave up the bargaining and murmured, “As you wish.”

Saber gave his name and place of origin, and when asked about his occupation simply said, “I have private means.” He gave the old man his identity card, stealing glances at the woman while the man was busy writing down the details. Their eyes met, but he failed to read the meanings he had first seen. Nevertheless, he convinced himself that she was that girl of his past. Once more the smell of the sea stung his nostrils as well as the scent of the carnations that had adorned her hair. All of a sudden he was optimistic about the success of his mission and did not doubt for a moment that this woman was ready and willing. She appeared to be disinterested, but an enchantress lay beneath that cool façade.

The old man returned the identity card, saying, “You are from Alexandria?”

He nodded and smiled, and said slyly, looking to the girl, “I bet you like Alexandria?”

The old man smiled, but the girl, contrary to his expectations, did not appear even to have heard, so he quickly asked, “Did you ever know Sayed Sayed el-Reheimy?”

“It’s not improbable that I did.”

Saber became keenly interested, forgetting the girl. “Where and when?”

“I can’t remember; I’m not sure.”

“But he is an important man.”

“I’ve known many, but now I don’t remember one.”