Much to Carl’s delighted surprise he found that his future mother-in-law was a woman of distinct culture and refinement, something he had not expected to see in a gypsy. Together they spoke for quite a time, discussing many things of mutual interest. The talk reverted to Sana’s father, of whom the mother had only words of praise. Apparently he had tried hard in the last years of his life to make up for the foolishness of his youth. Excusing herself, Sana’s mother left the room, returning shortly with a manuscript in pencil. Handing it to Carl, she explained, “My husband wrote this just before his death. He was a great student of astronomy and this data he compiled as the basis for a book, but he died before he could have it published.” Noting that Carl perused the manuscript with great interest she continued, “You may have it, if you wish. I understand you are a writer and it may be of inspiration to you. Take it and use it. Perhaps he who wrote it will sometime know that his work did amount to something.” Urged by Sana, Carl readily accepted the data, thanking the mother, and promising to read it carefully during his travels across the desert. He was sure, he said, that it would prove of great help and value to him sometime. Carl was about to take his leave to return to the hotel, when Sana, recalling something to mind, said, “Mother, read Carl’s hand, please.” This the gypsy consented to do, motioning to Sana to go outdoors, as they would have to be alone. “Shall I cross your palm with silver?” Carl laughed. “No, that is necessary only with professionals.” Taking Carl’s hand in hers, she studied the lines carefully, and in an earnest tone, began, “I see danger--great trouble for you--very soon--you are going to lose your best friend. Yes. Some man is going to take that friend away from you!” She paused for a while, then seriously, “You are going to have a serious accident, but you will recover. I also see another dark girl coming into your life, whom you should not trust. You are going to take a long journey across the water, and that girl will be with you.” Carl, thinking the girl to be Sana, interrupted with “What will become of her?” “You will cast her away after you have crossed the water and you will have a great deal of worry over the other girl, whom you really love.” Carl did not know what was what, nor who was who, and asked for a description of both girls, to which the gypsy replied, “Both are dark haired and beautiful. The one means well, the other does not.” Carl, desirous to learn as much as he could, asked to be told the final outcome, but the only answer he got was, “That, one cannot say. But everything will turn out as you want it to be.” This in a measure satisfied Carl. He knew how he wanted things to turn out. At any rate he was of too practical turn of mind to give much weight to a palm-reading.