The biggest hurdle is now behind you. You almost feel happy. Oh, if only night wouldn’t fall. Probably the investigator knows all these things by now. He got up and left without a word.

The telephone rang the following afternoon. “Elham!”

A low quivering voice said, “Saber. I just want to say that all you said yesterday, well, it doesn’t change anything.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Elham. You’re nothing but a constant torturing pain. As for Karima, you are linked in a bloody tie that will be broken only with death. Your need for her is like a maddening hunger that keeps you in a constant hell. You’ll find a way of contacting her. You must!

The best thing we can do then will be to sell the hotel and live in some other town. You will lead a passionate, spontaneous, carefree life, not like Elham, whose voice calls for a change in your life and causes you endless pain. But when will Karima contact him? What happens after the money runs out? He would accept any job, even Seriakous’, just to wait for Karima. I wonder, are they going to hang him? Poor Seriakous! You’ve killed a man with your own hands; no harm in killing another, but using different hands. When, when will this nightmare be over?

Before leaving the hotel, Elham telephoned him. “Are you going to renew the advertisement?” She sounded subdued.

“No,” he replied wearily.

“I asked someone to find out if he’s got an unlisted number,” she said softly.

“And of course he didn’t find anything.”

“No, unfortunately.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he sighed.

“We’ve got correspondents in other towns. They’re inquiring as to his whereabouts.”

“I don’t know how to thank you, Elham.”

“Aren’t you thinking of coming to pay us a visit?” she asked shyly.

“No,” he replied firmly. “I’m thinking of your welfare.”

“I wonder how you are taking all this.”

“I told you, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“It does to me,” she whispered.

They lost contact after this. The pain was unbearable. What’s the use of beauty in a world soiled with blood? Her eyes can only see what is beautiful. They are blind to ugliness.

Sawi saw him on his way out and smiled. Saber smiled back nervously. The man offered him a seat. He sat hiding his impatience and tension.

“Are you in a hurry?” asked the old doorman.

“No, not at all. I’ve got nothing to do.”

“Then stay a while. To tell you the truth, I feel very lonely after the death of Mr. Khalil. I’ve no one to talk to.”

“What about your sons?”

“They’re not in Cairo.”

There were only two guests in the lounge. The traffic noises drowned out the beggar’s chant.

“Anything new turn up?” asked Saber.

“I’ve got a friend on the force. He seems to know, although he brags a bit.”