Sidi went that day into the desert to Ksar es Souk and took two Berber wives, both of whom were now pregnant. And then, so far as el Glaoui knew, el Ferruch had not left Ksar es Souk until the day he buried his father. immediately afterward el Glaoui once again ordered Sidi back to the palace at Ksar es Souk, with instructions that he was not to leave without his permission. El Ferruch had not been pleased with the order; but el Glaoui had no reason to suspect that he would not do what he was told to do.
Thami el Glaoui was therefore surprised the day after he had walked in the mosque when one of his guards came into his chamber escorting one of Sidi el Ferruch’s Berbers. The Berber had come by motorcycle from the palace at Ksar es Souk carrying a message.
“Noble Father, my lord begs forgiveness for disturbing you, and prays that you will forgive him for seeking audience on such short notice. He is presently enroute, and if you cannot find the time for him, I will meet him on the road and so inform him, and he will return to Ksar es Souk to await your pleasure.”
Tharni el Glaoui sat for a full minute before replying. “Please let the pasha of Ksar es Souk know that I will be honored to offer him what hospitality is at my disposal. And that I pray to Allah the All merciful for his safe journey.”
El Ferruch obviously had something important on his mind.
Sidi el Ferruch arrived in a three-car convoy. In front there was a 1940 Ford convertible coupe, full of heavily armed Berbers, their faces masked. The pasha of : Ksar es Souk himself rode in the backseat of a 1939 Buick Limited open touring car; following that was another 1939 Buick Limited, this one a closed sedan, also full of masked and armed Berbers.
Thami el Glaoui, gazing down through a screen, was surprised that el Ferruch did not-as the pasha expected him to-scurry quickly up the stairs into the villa. Instead, he walked to the Ford convertible coupe. And then Thami el Glaoui saw why. El Ferruch had elected to ride in the convertible, dressed as one of his Berbers. If there had been assassin’s bullets they would have been directed at the man impersonating him.
El Ferruch quickly put on the headdress with the golden cords of his rank and then walked quickly into the villa through a knot Of his Berbers, all of whom were armed with American Thompson.45caliber machine pistols.
Thami el Glaoui pushed himself to his feet and walked toward the narrow private flight of stairs leading to the reception room downstairs.
Three minutes later the gaunt old man in white faced the tall, hawklike el Ferruch in the blue robes of a Berber. They kissed, and then walked hand in hand to sit on the red leather hassocks on either side of a round brass table five feet in diameter.
“Allah the All-Merciful has answered my prayers for your safe journey,” the pasha said as tea and jellied orange slices were put before them.
“Thank you, noble Father,” el Ferruch said, “for receiving me.”
The pasha slipped an orange slice into his mouth and looked at el Ferruch, his eyebrows raised in question, waiting to hear what el Ferruch wanted.
“I have come about my guest, Eric Fulmar,” el Ferruch said.
“The infidel under your roof,” Thami el Glaoui said, “concerned your father.”
“When my father was killed, noble Father, Eric Fulmar was in Casablanca, meeting with the master of a ship owned by an Argentine with whom we were in school.”
64you trust him to negotiate for you?”
114e suggested the arrangement. In addition, he can move with greater ease than I.”
4,And you trust him?” el Glaoui pursued. -Yes,” el Ferruch said simply.
Thami el Glaoui nodded.
-My friend was in the 116tel Moulay Hassan, protected by my nen. After MY father was killed, they moved him to my apartment it, the Hotel d’anfa.”
“Before or after the transaction was completed?” el Glaoui asked practically. “After, noble Father.”
4,you are sure your profits are safe?” el Glaoui asked.