Marina giggled.
"Did you find out?" Ansaldo asked.
"Not yet, ilustre. What was it like to examine Tovarich Tabio?"
Ansaldo laughed. "Let me take care of the Tovarich, please. And don't act too happy at the Embassy tonight."
"I am not a fool, ilustre. Didn't the Caudillo himself personally decorate me for bravery?"
"Now you are being a boor. I detest boors."
"I am sorry, ilustre."
"Try to find out if they are coming in tonight."
"They would not be coming by Clipper," Marina said. "Too dangerous."
There was the rustle of paper, followed by the padded footsteps. Then someone—Hall guessed it was Marina—sat down in a creaky armchair. The man with the shoes got up and walked in the direction opposite from Hall's room. Hall heard a door open, followed a few seconds later by the rush of water into a tub. He remained in his chair, his stethoscope still against the plaster.