He felt a cold, creeping terror. What happened to all your careful planning? What traces have you left behind? You must check everything, the bedsheets, the blanket, the floor, your shoes, socks, jacket, shirt, handkerchief. He felt physically sick with fear and doubt. The investigating eyes will not miss a thing. He must get rid of the glove. He wrapped it in his towel, grabbed his soap, and went to the bathroom, his small scissors in his pajama pocket. He cut the glove into small pieces and flushed them down the toilet. He then washed his face and left the bathroom to return to his room, only to meet Aly Seriakous in the corridor.

“Good morning, Mr. Saber, you’re up early this morning.”

Damn…What are you doing here?…The guest in room thirteen was up earlier than usual, that’s the only thing I noticed, Officer. That’s exactly what the wretch will say. Damn! Damn! This was a bad omen. Did he wipe the floor after having disposed of the glove? Curses! He’s going to the bathroom. He thought he had seen what looked like bloodstains by the sink. He stood rooted to the spot, his eyes glued to the bathroom door. The porter came out of the bathroom.

“Can I do anything for you, sir?”

He ignored him and went straight for the bathroom to look for bloodstains.

“I forgot my soap,” he said apologetically, trying to appear calm as he left the bathroom again. The man smiled.

“You had it in your left hand.”

Catastrophe! Laughing nervously: “That’s the hazard of waking early. I couldn’t sleep, there was a terrible racket outside.” He entered his room still laughing nervously. What a bad start. But no need to exaggerate the dangers. He inspected his clothes carefully while dressing. Looking up at the ceiling, he imagined Khalil lying on his bed. He shuddered. Murders happen every day, he reassured himself. It would be madness to leave now for Alexandria. Have I forgotten anything? Evidence could be found in the strangest places. He thought of taking his jacket to be dry-cleaned. But how would he wrap it? This would certainly draw attention to him. Probably by this afternoon he would be answering questions. The dangers of his situation weighed heavily upon him. He must leave the hotel before they discover the crime. That was more important than the jacket. He took a last look around the room. Will it betray him? Mohamed el-Sawi was performing his morning prayers as Saber walked into the lounge. There were a few people around as he sat down to his breakfast. The porter, Aly Seriakous, walked up to him.

“You forgot this, Mr. Saber.”

His wallet! It must have fallen out of his jacket as he was looking through it. He opened it.

“Thank you very much, Aly,” he said, giving him ten piasters.

“I found it on the floor by your bed.”