Two Arabs left the rear of Shepheard's, one slightly taller than the other, both striding very fast.
"Remember," Samir said under his breath, "take very big steps. You are a man. Men do not take small steps, and swing your arms naturally."
"I should have learned this trick a long time ago," Julie answered.
The Great Mosque swarmed with the faithful as well as tourists who had come to see this wonder, and come to see the sight of devout Moslems in worship on their knees. Julie and Samir moved lazily through the crush of tourists. Within minutes they had spotted the tall Arab with the dark glasses, in his flowing white robes.
Samir placed a key in Ramses' hand. He whispered the address and the directions. Ramses should follow him. It would not be a long walk.
He and Julie moved on, with Ramses a few paces behind.
Ah, she liked this one, who called himself an American and spoke in such a strange voice. They rode along together in the horse-drawn "taxi" carriage, among the "motor cars." And she was no longer afraid.
Before they'd left the "railway station" she'd realized that the big iron chariots pulled people about. Just a common means of transportation. How strange.
This one was not as elegant as Lord Rutherford, by any means, but he spoke more slowly and it was becoming quite simple for her to understand, especially as he pointed to things as he spoke. She knew now what was a Ford automobile, and a Stutz Bearcat, and also a little roadster. This man sold such things in America. He was a merchant of Ford automobiles in America. Even poor people could buy these driving machines.
She clutched the canvas bag he'd bought her, which held the money and the bits of paper with OPERA written on them.
"And this here is where the tourists live," he said to her, "more or less. I mean, this is the British sector...."
"English," she said.
"Yes, but all the Europeans and Americans pretty much come here, too. And that building there--that's where all the best people stay, the British and the Americans, that's Shepheard's, the hotel, if you know what I mean."
"Shepheard's--the hotel?" She gave a little laugh.
"That's where the opera ball's going to be tomorrow night. That's where I'm staying. I don't much like opera"--he made a little face--"never did much care for it. But here in Cairo, well, this is an important thing, you see."
"Important thing, you see."
"Real important. So I figured pretty much I'd go, you see, and to the ball afterwards, though I had to rent a tai
lcoat and all that." He had a lovely light in his eyes as he looked down at her. He was enjoying himself immensely.
And she was enjoying herself as well.
"And Aida being all about ancient Egypt."
"Yes, Radames singing."
"Yes! So you know it. Bet you like opera, bet you appreciate it." Suddenly he made a little frown. "Are you okay, little lady? Maybe you'd find the old city more romantic. You want something to drink? How about a little ride in my car. It's parked right behind Shepheard's."
"Motor car?"
"Oh, you're quite safe with me, little lady, I'm a real safe driver. Tell you what. Have you been out to the pyramids?"
Pee-ra-mids.
"No," she said. "Drive in your car, super!"
He laughed. He shouted a command to the taxi and the driver pulled the horse to the left. They rode around the hotel, Shepheard's, a handsome building with pretty gardens.
When he reached up to help her down from the carriage, he almost touched the tender opening in her side. She shivered. But it had not happened. Yet it had reminded her that the wound was there. How could one live with such awful sores? That was the mystery. Whatever happened now, she must return at dusk to see Lord Rutherford again. Lord Rutherford had gone to speak with the man who could explain these things--the man with the blue eyes.
They arrived together at the hideout. Julie agreed to wait as Samir and Ramses entered, inspected the three little rooms and their neglected garden; then they motioned for her to come in, and Ramses bolted the door.
There was a small wooden table with a candle in the middle, stuck in an old wine bottle. Samir lighted the candle. Ramses drew up two of the straight-backed chairs. Julie brought the other.