The party retired to Alexander's estate to plan their next moves. It had been a tiring and frustrating night, if exciting, and everyone enjoyed a stiff drink. After changing from his accustomed Bedouin robes into a dinner jacket Alexander played some ragtime records on his gramophone. A late dinner of lamb, rice and scalloped potatoes was served in the dining room. Later, they would retire to the rear patio for a smoke, with its view of sculptured gardens and the dark and deadly Nile beyond.

Perkins was working on his pipe when the others arrived back at the estate. He greeted them all with a hearty handshake very much glad to see them all in one piece. Once his pipe was lit and they had a moment he gave up the story of the car chase and subsequent involvement of the British forces from the garrison.
"Persistent buggers they were and I think the army fellows turned the tide on that engagement."

After dinner Mr Perkins took his usual fruit juice as they made their way to the terrace.

-

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 1):

"That was a frustrating evening." Alexander sighed as he sipped his gin and tonic, then lit a cigarette.

"We lost the Girdle. Or never had it anyways. But the old imam at the mosque gave you something, Count? A sword? May I look at it?"