"The ruling says one clear thing: that the registration clerk has no authority to decide who is a convert," Rabbi Deri said.

She asked each of the registration clerks not to mention her inquiry to the Banks family when eventually they showed up.

The next morning the registration clerk told Jacque he would have to wait until next semester to get a new roommate.

The registration clerk made a thorough check of the list.

A single registration clerk filed her nails and looked on.

From suitcases, from a carton, from behind the registration clerk's desk.

He took a deep breath while the registration clerk looked again.

The registration clerk wasn't "very good about faces."

With the exception of the registration clerk and maybe his boss, and perhaps room service, not a single living soul knew she was in this room.

That her luggage, left with the registration clerk, had not been here when she walked in should have tipped her off that something was wrong.