‘And you think I’ve a package for you from Tucek?’ I asked.
‘No, no. I think per’aps you have a package as you say to deliver to Tucek here. But Tucek is not ‘ere. He do not arrive. It is terrible. I do not know what is happened. But business is business, Signor Farrell, and I have special workers ready waiting to begin the building of the tools to make these new machines. If I could plees have the specifications—’
‘But I haven’t got any package for you,’ I told him.
‘No?’ The voice had risen a shade. It was hard and metallic. ‘But Signor Farrell, in his letter he say—’
‘ I don’t care what he said to you in his letter,’ I interrupted him.’ I can only repeat, I have not got a package for you. I saw him once in Pilsen that’s all. It was in his office and an official interpreter was with us all the time.’
He started to say something and then his voice vanished suddenly as though he had cupped his hand over the mouthpiece of the telephone. There was a pause and then he said, ‘Are you sure you only see him once, signore?’
‘Quite certain,’ I answered.
‘He does not come to see you at your hotel?’
Was it my imagination or was there a sudden emphasis on his words? ‘No,’ I answered.
‘But he tell me—’