Scene 2

Maille had allowed himself the indulgence of a few days of relaxation in Sharjah – with the intention of curing himself of the flu and flying back only thereafter to Santa Lemusa. Coughing and sneezing, he had lain under the sun umbrella on the beach and written reports. His nose had improved with every passing hour. His mood had, however, dimmed, perhaps with every little bacillus cropping up in his body – and because he had achieved little so far.

There was no trace of Professor Koslow on his return to the desert and the threat of Dr Hing continued to hang like a rusty razorblade over Santa Lemusa. Maille had neither been able to solve the mystery of Solomon's Seal nor understand the meaning – if any – of water lilies from Santa Lemusa being planted in a Swedish pond. Instead of undertaking that great long journey, he could have simply lain under a Kaki tree in Paris.

Maille loved his homeland – certainly. But he had nothing against it when it survived without him, especially when the prospects of success were as meagre as they were now.

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