We must have slept like dead for next thing I knew phone was sounding and its light was blinking.  I called for room lights, started to get up, found a load on right upper arm, dumped it gently, climbed over, answered.

Mike said, "Good morning, Man.  Professor de la Paz is talking to your home number."

"Can you switch it here?  As a 'Sherlock'?"

"Certainly, Man."

"Don't interrupt call.  Cut him in as he switches off.  Where is he?"

"A public phone in a taproom called The Iceman's Wife underneath the -"

"I know.  Mike, when you switch me in, can you stay in circuit?  Want you to monitor."

"It shall be done."

"Can you tell if anyone is in earshot?  Hear breathing?"

"I infer from the anechoic quality of his voice that he is speaking under a hush hood.  But I infer also that, in a taproom, others would be present.  Do you wish to hear, Man?"

"Uh, do that.  Switch me in.  And if he raises hood, tell me.  You're a smart cobber, Mike."

"Thank you, Man."  Mike cut me in; I found that Mum was talking: "-ly I'll tell him, Professor.  I'm so sorry that Manuel is not home.  There is no number you can give me?  He is anxious to return your call; he made quite a point that I was to be sure to get a number from you."

"I'm terribly sorry, dear lady, but I'm leaving at once.  But, let me see, it is now eight-fifteen; I'll try to call back at nine, if I may."

"Certainly, Professor."  Mum's voice had a coo in it that she reserves for males not her husbands of whom she approves - sometimes for us.  A moment later Mike said, "Now!" and I spoke up:

"Hi, Prof!  Hear you've been looking for me.  This is Mannie."

I heard a gasp.  "I would have sworn I switched this phone off.  Why, I have switched it off; it must be broken.  Manuel - so good to hear your voice, dear boy.  Did you just get home?"

"I'm not home."

"But - but you must be.  I haven't -"

"No time for that, Prof.  Can anyone overhear you?"

"I don't think so.  I'm using a hush booth."

"Wish I could see.  Prof, what's my birthday?"

He hesitated.  Then he said, "I see.  I think I see.  July fourteenth."

"I'm convinced.  Okay, let's talk."

"You're really not calling from your home, Manuel?  Where are you?"

"Let that pass a moment.  You asked my wife about a girl.  No names needed.  Why do you want to find her, Prof?"

"I want to warn her.  She must not try to go back to her home city.  She would be arrested."

"Why do you think so?"

"Dear boy!  Everyone at that meeting is in grave danger.  Yourself, too.  I was so happy - even though confused - to hear you say that you are not at home.  You should not go home at present.  If you have some safe place to stay, it would be well to take a vacation.  You are aware - you must be even though you left hastily - that there was violence last night."

I was aware!  Killing Warden's bodyguards must be against Authority Regulations - at least if I were Warden, I'd take a dim view.  "Thanks, Prof; I'll be careful.  And if I see this girl, I'll tell her."