While the number was ringing, he turned to Stone.
The number rang four times and then his answering service picked up.
The number rang for a long time because it was already the middle of the evening six thousand miles to the east.
He made up a speech while the first number was ringing.
Why didn't she ring such-and-such a number to find out?
The number rang four times and then somebody picked up.
The number rang twice, then there was a click on the line.
The number rang once and then he found himself listening to a conversation.
Once more the number rang and a voice answered.
It was several minutes before the number in London was ringing.