If the captain comes I will deliver it." "No.

The message is from Esh-Sham (Damascus).

He will give it only into the captain's own hand." "What is your name ?" "Suliman." "What is his ?" "God knows! He came with another man by train; and the other man, who is much more mad than this one, gave me five piastres to bring this one to your kahwi!" [Coffe-pot] Yussuf shut the door, and discussed the proposition with his customers.

At the end of two or three minutes his head appeared again.
"You say Staff-Captain Ali Mirza is expected here ?" "So said the man at the station." "What do you know of Staff-Captain Ali Mirza ?" "Nothing." Once more the door closed and I could hear the murmur of voices inside--but only a confused murmur, for the door was thick.

When it opened again two other heads were peering from behind Yussuf's.
"Has he money ?" he asked.
"Kif?
Ma indi khabar!" [How should I know ?] Yussuf opened the door wide and made a sign for me to enter.