“Yes; an officer, I should judge.”
“Precisely; a police officer. That is Chief Inspector Carlisle of New Scotland Yard.”
“But he is a guest here.”
“Certainly. The management sustained a severe loss last Christmas during the progress of a ball at which all Cairo was present, and as the inspector chanced to be on his way home from India, where official business had taken him, M. Balabas induced him to break his journey and remain until after the carnival.”
“Wait a moment,” I said; “I will bring him over.”
Crossing to the bar, I greeted Balabas, with whom I was acquainted, and—
“Mr. Chundermeyer and I have been discussing the notorious Omar of Ispahân, who is said to be in Cairo,” I remarked.
Inspector Carlisle, being introduced, smiled broadly.
“Mr. Balabas is very nervous about this Omar man,” he replied, with a slight Scottish accent; “but, considering that everybody has been warned, I don’t see myself that he can do much damage.”
“Perhaps you would be good enough to reassure Mr. Chundermeyer,” I suggested, “who is carrying valuables.”