That was rash! The guest continued: “That makes no difference. This place is full of surprises. They found a large amount of hashish in room six, and they arrested the man living there. Also, in room three they discovered a professional thief.”

“Ah. Maybe.”

“Yes, that’s quite possible. It all depends on the motive.”

“No doubt it was theft.”

Again rash. You’d better be careful. Did they find any evidence? he wondered. He wanted to be with Karima, if only for a moment. Don’t look in her direction. She must have some important information for him. It’s not as you imagine. Damn that beggar and his incessant chant. I visit my mother at this time every month.

Money and jewelry are missing. Aly Seriakous closed the windows in front of me. I locked up myself. No. I don’t think he has enemies.

Why does this man remind him of his father? A guest interrupted his thoughts. “We are innocent, and yet we’re nervous and on edge. What must the guilty feel?”

Said another, “What’s worse, that one false slip or a wrong expression can start endless troubles.”

“But never was an innocent hanged.”

“Hah!”

But the guilty may escape. Your mother and the man who escaped to Libya. You were mad to return to the hotel. There must have been some other way. Your need for your father becomes more urgent with the growing danger.

The guests were called one by one. His turn came. He sat before the investigator, hating him intensely. He must defeat him at all costs. The man looked at Saber’s identity card.

“You’ve been here for over a month, as the hotel register shows.”

No, he doesn’t resemble his father. “I got up as usual, got dressed, and came down to have my breakfast.”

“Not exactly as usual. You woke up early.”

“I don’t wake up at a set hour.”

“The porter said that on this particular morning you were up earlier than usual.”

“Probably he didn’t see me on other occasions.”

“Did you hear anything unusual at night?”

“No. I slept soundly the moment I got back to my room.”

“Did you notice anything unusual when you woke up?”

“No.”

“When did you see the porter, Aly Seriakous?”

“On my way out of the bathroom.”

“Did he seem somewhat different to you?”

“No. He looked just as he does every day.”

“And you? Tell me, is there anything about yourself that you haven’t told me?”

“No.”

“Didn’t you forget your wallet?”

“Yes, yes. I did. Aly Seriakous brought it to the lounge.”

“What impression did you have then? I mean after getting the wallet?”

“Naturally, I was pleased.”

“What else?”

“That’s all.”

“Weren’t you surprised at his honesty?”

“Maybe. I don’t remember. It probably didn’t occur to me.”

“But it’s natural that it should occur to you.”

“Perhaps I was slightly surprised.”

“Slightly?”