One hundred and thirteen

Uncertain quite what to do with Bogart’s treasure, Blaine took it back to the secret apartment and hid it in his satchel.

The fact that Ghita had solicited services from the witches of Sidi Abdur Rahman suggested she might be unnerved at the thought of having a black-magic manuscript in her home.

The American was about to put the satchel on the shelf in the hallway, when something caught his eye.

The bottom edge of the bag had a small tear along it, where the two main seams joined. He didn’t remember ever noticing it before. Taking it through to the window, he prised the two seams apart. Strange, he thought, it’s out of shape. Without thinking, he delved his fingers into the hole.

A moment later he was holding a booklet.

Its cover was red, adorned with a globe, olive branches, and the words ‘United Nations Laissez-Passer’.