She moved from the reception desk to the telephone box.
She went in, reached for the receiver and then realised that, while she was quite certain she had closed the door as she entered, it was already ajar. There was an Arab with his back to her standing outside. She could see his robes. She pulled the door closed again and fastened it firmly.
Now the kiosk was hot and airless, but it was soundproof.
She lifted the receiver, dialled the number Bing had given her and heard it ringing. Then someone lifted the receiver at the other end. Whoever it was did not speak, but she could hear him breathing.
“I am speaking from The Excelsior Hotel. The Sahib has need of you. Room three hundred and nine.”
There was no answer, only the sound of the telephone receiver being replaced.
Melina came ou
