The Mamur Zapt and the Girl in Nile. Michael Pearce
the Mamur Zapt?’
‘No, Prince. The Mamur Zapt is, well, out to one side.’
‘You, too? Of course, things have changed. In my grandfather’s time the Mamur Zapt used to control everything. He was the Khedive’s right-hand man, you know. The man he relied on to keep him in power.’
‘I am afraid his scope is a little more restricted these days, Prince.’
The title ‘Head of the Secret Police’ was in any case something of a misnomer. Head of the Political Branch of the CID was the closest British equivalent. Perhaps, too, in army terms—and some considered Egypt an occupied country—Head of Political Intelligence.
‘Yes. And in the old days he used to serve the Khedive.’
‘He still does, Your Highness.’
The Prince smiled.
‘Well,’ he said. ‘I am sure you have business of your own with our friend here. Please don’t let me interrupt you.’
He walked over to one of the low, shuttered windows and sat on the sill.
‘Do carry on.’
Owen hesitated.
‘Not secret, is it? If it is, I will at once remove myself. Though, as you said a moment ago, you are in a sense one of my servants.’
‘The Khedive’s servants, certainly. No, Your Highness, you are, of course, welcome to stay. I was merely going to ask the Chief why he sent for me this morning.’
‘But is not that obvious?’
‘No, far from it. The proper procedure, you see, when a crime is reported, is to notify the Parquet, not the Mamur Zapt.’
‘I see. Well, man, answer him. Why did you send for him?’
‘The Mamur Zapt was nearby,’ muttered the Chief.
‘Well, that seems reasonable. You were nearby. And, by the way, that was very prescient of you.’
‘Hardly. I was conducting a search for arms.’
‘Really? In this vicinity? There does seem to be a lot going on in this neighbourhood. Arms, you say? Well, I suppose that’s important.’
‘Yes. To the Khedive as well as to me.’
‘You think so? Yes, I suppose you’re right. They’re just as likely to be used against us as they are against you. We and the British have a lot in common. We’re both unpopular.’
‘Only with some people, Prince.’
‘Well, yes. These Nationalists! Very trying people. My father keeps wondering whether to bring them in or keep them out. Bring them in and they want to change things. Keep them out and you deny them the chance to share in our unpopularity. Which is hardly wise, don’t you think? I’m all for bringing them in.’
‘You could always go half way. Bring them in so that they share the unpopularity but don’t give them enough power to change anything.’
‘Ah yes. Of course, that is the British solution. And very effective, too. But then, what about these guns? These arms of yours? Don’t you think there’s a danger that if people are disappointed they’re more ready to try extreme solutions? What do you do then?’
‘Conduct arms searches.’
‘I see. Why, Captain Owen, you’ve persuaded me! I am now convinced that your work was very important. Too important to be interrupted. So, fellow, why did you interrupt him?’
The District Chief, who had not altogether followed all this, looked blank.
‘I was wondering whether he’d received a phone call,’ explained Owen. ‘A phone call to suggest that there were other things more important.’
‘Oh, me, you mean? No. I always start at the top. I get round to the bottom later. As, of course, you see.’
‘I was puzzled,’ said Owen. ‘The message from the Chief came first. Before the message from Mr McPhee.’
The Prince looked at him sharply.
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘that is interesting.’ He slipped off the sill, walked across to the Chief and stood in front of him. ‘That is interesting. Well,’ he said silkily, ‘did you receive a phone call this morning?’
‘No,’ said the Chief, ‘no phone calls.’
‘Or any other kind of message?’ asked Owen. ‘Did someone come to see you, for instance?’
‘No.’
‘The Mamur Zapt will check,’ warned the Prince. ‘If I were you I’d get it right the first time.’
‘No one came. There were no messages, effendi. I swear it.’
‘So why,’ asked the Prince, ‘did you send for Captain Owen?’
‘I thought—I thought—the Mamur Zapt was near—and—’
‘There may be a simple explanation,’ said Owen. ‘Laziness.’
‘Laziness?’
‘He heard there was someone senior in the neighbourhood and saw it as a golden opportunity to pass on the responsibility.’
‘But isn’t there a difficulty here? You said yourself earlier that you are not his superior, not directly. Yes, and that in any case the normal procedure was for the matter to be reported to the Parquet.’
‘These are facts of which I meant to remind him.’
‘I see. Good.’
The Prince wheeled away.
‘Carry on,’ he said over his shoulder.
‘Another time. Your Highness, I must apologize. I have been delaying you. You yourself had business, I think, with the District Chief?’
‘Well, yes. Certainly.’
‘Don’t let me delay you further. Please carry on.’
He walked over to the window and sat on the sill.
‘Don’t mind me,’ he said encouragingly.
The Prince sat silently for a moment looking at Owen. Then he suddenly smiled.
‘Touché!’ he said. ‘However, I don’t mind you hearing.’ He crooked his finger. The Chief came towards him.
‘The body that was washed up this morning: I am interested in it. If I am interested, other people will be, too. Now. One!’ He held up his forefinger. ‘If anyone comes round inquiring, I want to know who they are. Two!’ He held up the second finger. ‘You are to tell them nothing. They may offer you money. If you take it, I shall hear, and you know what to expect, don’t you? On the other hand, if you report all to me it may be that I shall give you money. Understand? Three!’ He clasped the third finger. ‘It may be that you will come across information which you think would interest me. Information about the body, for instance. Not about the girl, I don’t need that. Just the body. I am prepared to pay for such information and pay well. Now, have you got all that?’
‘Yes, Your Highness.’
‘I’m sure you have. But just to make even surer, I am going to ask you to tell me what the three things are that could make you rich.’
He held up his forefinger and looked questioningly at the District Chief.
‘If people come asking,’ said the Chief hoarsely.
‘You are to say nothing. Good. And the second?’
‘I am to tell you who they are.’
‘Excellent!’ The Prince looked at Owen. ‘The man is well on his way to becoming