Well, theres no need for you to rise like a fish!
No, sir. They sounded, however, unconvinced.
Nice fishing at Machen, sir! one of them called out as they left.
The Egyptian came across to Owen as soon as they were gone.
Have I got it right? he said. They are also from the Pays de Galles?
Professional Egyptians, as well as upper-class Egyptians, tended to speak French more readily than they did English. Many of them had been to France for their education. Mahmoud El Zaki had not. He had done all his training in the Khedivial School of Law. The Egyptian legal system, however, was heavily based on the French and the whole legal culture was strongly French.
Thats right, said Owen. Its a Welsh regiment.
Im surprised you keep them together, said the Egyptian. Isnt there the risk of rebellion?
No, no, no. Its not like that. The English conquest of Wales was so long ago that most people have forgotten it. Well, almost.
The Egyptian was not entirely convinced.
There seemed to me to be animosity, he said. Those other men were English, yes? An English regiment?
Some Cornishmen might dispute it, but yes. The conquest of Cornwall was even longer ago than the conquest of Wales. The Egyptian shook his head in wonderment.
I thought the British were all the same, he said. Of course, I knew that you were from the Pays de Galles You had told me. But I had thought that you were an exception. British is not English, then?
Oh, no. It is Welsh and Scottish and Irish and-
Cornish?
If you go far enough back. And other things as well. The Egyptian looked thoughtful.
It sounds like Cairo to me. He glanced at his watch. Look, he said, I wont take up your time now. Why dont we have a coffee somewhere? Sidi Hassims, in an hours time?
The trouble with the Cairo late-night cafe culture was that after the evening came the morning. Sleeping outside in the garden, because of the heat, Owen habitually awoke with the sun, no matter what time hed gone to bed the night before. The result was that hed normally passed his peak for the day by about nine, which was, of course, when the committees usually began, and after that it was all downhill. This morning he was present in the flesh but fragile in the spirit.
Were always having meetings, he complained to Paul.
Yes, I know, said Paul, and we could do without this one. However, a formal request has come in, or is about to come in, from Captain Shearer which, I think, needs discussion.
Hasnt it come in yet? said the major, equally fed up at having to be present. If its not come in, why not wait until it does?
Because that would rule out some of the options open to us.
Such as?
Not putting in a formal request.
The Army does not change its mind, said Shearer stiffly.
Keeping it informal, you mean? asked the major. Well, thats usually best. Keep things off paper.
I agree with you in principle, sir, said Shearer. In fact, thats exactly what I tried to do last night. Only this other Johnny said that things had already got past that stage.
Who is the other Johnny? asked Paul.
Mahmoud, said Owen.
Mahmoud El Zaki? The Parquets already involved? This makes it more difficult.
Presumably there was a complaint, said Owen.
Actually, said McPhee, Deputy Commandant of the Cairo Police, present this morning, there were two.
And theyve assigned an officer already? Thats pretty quick off the mark!
I think theyve got a duty-officer system, said Owen, and Mahmoud was probably the lawyer on duty. Anyone else would have left it till morning.
It had to be Mahmoud! said Paul, vexed.
Difficult man, eh? said the major.
That was certainly my impression last night, sir, said Shearer.
Difficult? said Paul. No. Conscientious. He turned to Owen. You know Mahmoud, he said. It was only last night. They can hardly have got started. Do you think that theres any chance-?
No, said Owen. Hell see it as a matter of principle.
Well, it is a matter of principle, said Shearer. Does the Army come under Egyptian law?
Cant have that! said the major, aghast.
I absolutely agree, sir, said Shearer. And therefore I think the issue must be faced. Settle it once and for all. That was exactly my thinking last night. If the Johnnies want it formal, then let them have it formal; and see if they like the consequences!
Hear, hear! said the major.
Look, said Paul, the only way we get by in Egypt is by not facing issues. We take damned good care to see that issues are not faced.
Chickening out! said Shearer contemptuously.
Damned shillyshallying! said the major.
And this is for a very good reason, said Paul; the ground we stand on is shaky.
Not while the Armys here! said Shearer.
By God, no! said the major.
Im thinking of the formal, legal grounds by which we justify our presence here.
Well, said Shearer, I dont think we need to think too much about that. Were here, arent we?
Its a question of how we appear in the eyes of other countries.
Other countries! said the major dismissively.
I agree, sir, said Shearer. The Army will look after that!
One of the complaints, said McPhee, came from the Russian Charge.
Russian Charge! said Paul.
Apparently the soldiers assaulted him.
God Almighty! said Paul. Its already an international incident!
Gentlemen. We should not lose our heads- began Shearer.
Heads? said Paul. Heads? And what do you think will happen to yours when the Commander-in-Chief, the Prime Minister back in London, learns that the countrys been committed to war through the actions of a junior captain?
Perhaps we should think again, said the major. Maybe it would be best after all if the whole thing was handled informally.
Too late, said Paul. Its in the hands of the Parquet now. The Nationalists will have us over a barrel. Theyll exploit it internationally. Even your ambassador cant walk along the street without being bloody jumped on by British soldiers.
Well confine them to barracks, said the major. Keep them off the streets for a time. Cant we hush this thing up?
Not a chance! said Paul, beginning to enjoy himself. The Parquets Nationalist. Its rubbing its hands at all the trouble itll be able to cause.
It wouldnt be possible-would it-to get the Charge to withdraw his complaint? said the major desperately. I mean, they wouldnt be able to go ahead then, would they? Theyd have to, well, drop it.
Paul affected to consider.
I could go and grovel to the Charge, I suppose, he said unwillingly.
Well, look-
I could give it a go. Thered have to be a written apology, of course.
You could manage that, couldnt you?
It wouldnt have to be from me. It would have to be from you.
The Army? The major swallowed; swallowed again. I think that could be arranged.
And Captain Shearer withdraws his request?
In the circumstances, mumbled Shearer.
Right, then! said Paul, triumphant, beginning to gather his papers. We-
Excuse me, said McPhee, the Deputy Commandant, with his usual slightly anxious old-world courtesy, havent you forgotten something? There was another complaint.
My God! said Paul. Its all Europe now!
No, no, said McPhee seriously. Its not from the Diplomatic this time.
Who is it, then?
The leader of the Mingrelian community.
There was a little silence.
What did you say?
Mingrelian.
Oh, Mingrelian, Mingrelian! said Paul, starting up. My God! he said, catching Owens eye, Mingrelian!
Mingrelian! responded Owen loyally, seeing that something of the sort was required but not, however, having the faintest idea what it was all about, never, indeed, having heard of anything Mingrelian before. Mingrelian! he said, shaking his head.
Them above all! said Paul, all dejection.
Look, said the major apprehensively, if theyre a particularly difficult lot-
Difficult! said Paul. Difficult! Not content with having provoked a world war, you bring out on to the streets the most bloodthirsty, intransigent-
Armed uprising? said Shearer. We can handle them!
Both of them? said Paul. At once?
Well cope, said the major. Well cope. He looked, however, distinctly worried. Two fronts, he said. He shook his head. Dont like it, he said.
None of us like it, said Paul bravely. We have to look issues in the face, though. There may be still time, however. Ill go straight to the Russian Charge and grovel. Oh, no, wait a minute. First, we need a letter of apology.
Ill see to it, said the major.
Right. Then keep your men off the streets-
Lie low for a bit. Right, I get the picture, said Shearer.
And persuade the Army to refrain, at least for a time, from assaulting the minority of the population it hasnt so far assaulted.
Right, said the major.
Paul looked pleased.
Thats it, then?
The complaint from the Mingrelians, McPhee gently prompted.
Ah, yes. Well, said Paul, looking at Owen; something for the Mamur Zapt, isnt it?
Thanks very much, said Owen.
Paul, he said worriedly, as they walked away together. Who the hell are the Mingrelians?
Dont ask me, said Paul. Never heard of them.
Just bring me the Mingrelian file, will you? said Owen casually, glancing up at Nikos as the Official Clerk entered the room.
The what file?
Mingrelian.
Nikos stood for a moment, stunned. He liked to claim he had a file on everything. He believed he had the universe under control. Now the earth had moved.
Mingrelian. Oh yes, Mingrelian, he said, recovering quickly. He stopped in the doorway. It may take a bit of time, he warned.
Ill bet, said Owen.
Nikos went out grim-faced.
Do you realize what youve done? demanded Georgiades.
Do you realize what youve done? demanded Georgiades.
He hasnt got a file! chortled Owen.
Hell have one soon. Those people were happily getting on with their lives unknown to the world. Now youve dragged them into history!
Ever heard of them?
Georgiades rubbed his chin. There was a faint rasp. It was difficult to shave close in the heat.
The name seems vaguely familiar. Something to do with the Church?
The Church! said McPhee, shocked. Really, Owen! And you the son of a minister! It is true that they are members of the Orthodox communion at one remove, so to speak, since the Georgian Church is autocephalous-
Georgia? Is that where they come from?
The Caucasus, rather. They are a separate linguistic community. Linguistic, not religious. How could you think, Owen-? said McPhee reproachfully.