It penetrated.

You felt he could have seen you with it in the dark.
I started to pass him a third time.

He held his hand out and thrust a small, soiled piece of paper into mine.

The writing on it was in Arabic, so I went back to the seat in the far corner, to puzzle it out, he standing meanwhile in the doorway and continuing to quiz people as if I had meant nothing in his life.
The message was short enough: Bearer will accompany you to a place where the escort will be in readiness.

God give your honour a good journey.