"No. Looked all over town for you afterward."
"Uh-huh. I thought that was too natural to be acting. Pick up any news in town?"
"Saw a hanging, and met a man who calls himself Mahommed ben
Hamza. He's waiting at the house of Abu Shamah."
"Any men with him?"
"Nine."
"Three more than he promised. Ben Hamza is the most honest thief and dependable liar in Palestine—a cheerful murderer who sticks closer than a brother. I saved him once from being hung, because he smiles so nicely. Any more news?"
"I expect none that you don't know. There's a sheikh named Abdul
Ali from Damascus, preaching a raid into Palestine."
Grim nodded.
"I'm here to bag that bird."
"Where do I come in?" I asked.