He got out of the chair and went back to the secretaries' room. He looked up the number of the Hungarian restaurant and dialled. He asked for the maitre d'hôtel.
He said: "Good evening There's a lady in the restaurant— a Miss Madelene Thorne. Would yon say that Mr. Vallon would like to speak to her." He waited.
When the maitre d'hôtel came back he said: "I'm very sorry, sir... there was a lady waiting here in the foyer. She left an hour ago."
Vallon said: "Thanks a lot." He cursed softly under his breath. He thought that wasn't so good.
He turned back to the directory, looked up the number of her apartment block. He dialled the number. When the operator answered Vallon said: Put me through to Miss Thorne's apartment, will you?
There was a pause, then the operator said: "Sorry, sir...
