He laughed and they started off again.
Oh I remember, it's just that it's like everything else in this world. We're not there yet, but we're getting there.
***
After twisting and turning through more alleys, they finally arrived at the small delivery van, its side panels boldly advertising AHMAD'S GREASY FISH & LEVANTINE CHIPS. Before they climbed in Liffy zipped up his former sword, a long collapsible spyglass, in its leather case.
Ahmad's, he said. He always keeps it handy under his counter, for those times when he feels the need to take an especially penetrating look at the past. I couldn't tell him I was taking it without waking him, but he won't mind. He only uses it at night. . Saturday nights, I believe.
Liffy gazed at the bundle of clothing under his arm. He smiled.
The bedouin cloak goes with me for another day, but I think I just might play God this morning by leaving this magical rag, heavenly scented, right here on a windowsill. And should a weary workhorse chance to pass this way today, and should the sagging old jade chance to raise his weary head at the right moment and catch a whiff of this Alexandrian rag, he'll be rewarded by music far beyond his wildest dreams. For the old jade's blood will suddenly surge as he abandons himself to the passionate dances of his youth, and his owner will be astounded and everybody will be astounded and the whole neighborhood will gather to behold, as they used to say.
Solemnly, then, Liffy drew himself up and gazed at Joe, his hand held high.
And behold it was written, the neighbors will say one unto another, a gleam and a twinkle in every eye and the glory of divine grace full upon them. For if a broken-down old workhorse can suddenly become a prancing playful colt, dare we imagine what this must mean for the rest of us?
And behold it was written, they will say. And the word will go forth from this place and be good news throughout the land, bringing great joy to all who hear it, as from a golden bell. For there are miracles in this world, they will say, that surpasseth all understanding. And these miracles come to those who raise their eyes from the cobblestones and look to the heavens, to search in their hearts for the darkness and the light. .
Liffy smiled shyly. He dropped his hand and nodded.
And I know that must be written, Joe, because miracles happen all the time, they do. It's just that we have to raise our eyes to look for them. And mostly we don't because we're weak and afraid, but when we do. .
Liffy went on smiling, nodding.
Well, an interlude then on the dawn patrol. But wouldn't it be wonderful if we could witness a small miracle this morning? Especially a miracle involving someone who deserves it? Someone like Stern?. .
***
The engine of the delivery van started with a quiet purr.
Less noise than when we drove in from the airport, said Joe.
That was the muffler cutout, replied Liffy, sometimes useful when the traffic's clogged. Just a flip of a switch and our Egyptian friends think Rommel's panzers have broken through the Eighth Army and are thundering into Cairo. Instantly the traffic clears and I go roaring through with waves and cheers on every side. It sets you up a bit until you remember why they're cheering. Off we go now.
They drove through the narrow streets of the Coptic Quarter, past horse-drawn carts and men bent double under loads of sacks and vegetables. The air was fresh and cool. Here and there a café was opening.
Best moment of the day really, said Liffy. The heat and corruption haven't settled in yet, and the mind hasn't had time to be horrified by what lies ahead. Do you need coffee or can you wait?
I can wait. Where are we going?
It's a surprise, a secret destination.
Liffy hummed a music-hall tune, a habit he apparently shared with Vivian. Joe gazed out the window, once more bothered by the blurred sensation in his mind. They seemed to be driving out of Cairo toward the desert, where a gathering of light lay on the horizon. The road turned and Joe caught a glimpse of the pyramids against the dim sky.
You weren't joking? We're going to the pyramids?
The dawn patrol, murmured Liffy. We're heading toward the dawn of Egyptian civilization, and although five thousand years have passed since the pyramids were built, we still may be in for a surprise. At least I hope so. If we're lucky. .
***
They lay on a rise of sand, the pyramids and the Sphinx in full view in front of them, a deep red glow above the desert to the east. Liffy handed the long spyglass to Joe.
Now adjust the spyglass to the Sphinx, said Liffy Have him yet?
Almost.
Beautiful?
Exquisite. The light.
Yes. Now look at the right eye of the Sphinx and concentrate on that. What do you see?
Shadows, Liffy.
Fine, keep looking. Shadows assume unexpected shapes and that can be intriguing.
But what am I supposed to see?
Who knows for sure. That odd-looking mythical creature with his human head and his animal body has always been a riddle, unlike the rest of us. Just keep looking.
Joe did so, feeling the cool sand against his chest and smelling the freshness of the desert, his thoughts far from any war.
Nothing yet? asked Liffy.
More light.
Good. We could all use a little more of that. Just keep looking.
Joe strained to see through the spyglass. For a moment he thought he saw something moving in the right eye of the Sphinx. A flicker, shadows, he couldn't be sure. Perhaps the sun rising toward the horizon was causing shadows to play on the worn ancient stones.
Beside him Liffy began to whisper.
Last night, remember? You talked a lot about Stern and what he means to you, and why you came here.
You also said you'd heard about that friend of Stern's, old Menelik Ziwar, who was an Egyptologist in the last century. You said you'd heard stories about him when you were living in Jerusalem. But did you also know old Menelik had found time to do some serious poking around inside the Sphinx? Did anyone ever mention that to you?
No, whispered Joe, staring intently through the spyglass, trying harder and harder to see, not believing what seemed to be happening out there.
Well he did, whispered Liffy. Old Menelik decided he wanted to do a potter of sorts inside the Sphinx in the last century, lovable old mole that he was, and so he had a small tunnel dug from the outside, right into the Sphinx. The entrance to the tunnel is hidden as it has always been, and it leads to a tiny lookout old Menelik fashioned for himself right inside the riddle itself. . What do you see?
Something moving, whispered Joe.
In the right eye?
Yes.
A stone being removed?
It could be.
And now?
It looks like a face, a head, appearing.
Where?
Right in the middle of the eye.
On his back on the sand beside Joe, gazing straight up at the sky, Liffy sighed happily.
In the pupil of the eye, you mean?
Yes.
It looks like a face, you say, a head? And it's becoming the pupil of the right eye of the Sphinx? Still shadowy?
Yes.
Do the shadows have a shape you can recognize?
No, it's too far away. Too small and indistinct.
Of course, the Sphinx's a riddle. Look harder.
Joe did so. He leaned forward on his elbows, holding his breath, straining to see through the spyglass. All at once he whistled softly.
Impossible.
Beside him, Liffy closed his eyes, a blissful smile on his face.
But it is real, whispered Joe, I can recognize him. Oh my God, it's Stern. Stern. .
Ah, murmured Liffy, he wasn't away after all. He's there watching the sunrise from his favorite perch.