“Bloody ’ell,” said one of the lads, looking up. “We ’ave to drag ’im down all these stairs?”

“He’s conscious,” said Iris. “He can walk down on his own.”

“Any reason we can’t just toss ’im from the landing?”

“I need him alive,” said Iris.

“For ’ow long?” asked Archie.

“For the rest of his natural life, I hope,” said Iris. “But at least through Tuesday, if that isn’t too inconvenient.”

“There’s nothing convenient about any of this,” said Archie. “You know this is going to cost you.”

“What’s the price for holding a prisoner?” asked Iris.

“Depends on ’ow well we feed ’im,” said Archie.

“Bread and water would be fine,” said Iris.

“You know ’ow much bread is going for right now?”

“Tell me the rate.”

Archie glanced at the others, then back at Iris.

“Since you’re a friend of Archie, you get a discount,” he said. “Twenty-five quid.”

“Twenty-five?”

“Per diem,” continued Archie. “Covers guards and food.”

“Oh, and he’ll need some medical attention,” said Iris.

“For what?”

“I may have stabbed him a little.”

“Did you now?”

“Only a little,” she said. “Look, what if I throw in his gun? It’s a Mauser automatic, in excellent condition.”

“Guns we got,” said Archie. “A Mauser, eh? This bloke’s a Jerry?”

“He sounded English, but I didn’t find any identification on him.”

“Frisked him good, did you?” said one of the lads with a smirk. “Wouldn’t mind getting caught by you meself.”

Archie stopped and turned to face him.

“I expect you to show some manners in the presence of a lady,” he said quietly.

“I was only—” began the spiv. Then he saw Archie’s eyes and thought better of it. “My apologies, Miss Sparks,” he said, raising his trilby.

“Accepted,” Iris said quickly. “Here we are.”

“‘Cooper and Lyons,’” read Archie. “And ’oo are they?”

“Accountants, long gone to their final accounting, or so I’ve heard. Ready?”

“Masks, lads,” said Archie.

They removed their hats and pulled on black woolen ski masks. Iris tapped on the door. A second later, Gwen opened it, starting as she saw the menacing-looking trio behind her partner.

“Nothing but scary things today,” she said brightly. “Forgive me, gentlemen. I wasn’t expecting you to be like this, but quite right. Won’t you come in?”

She had the Mauser in her hand. Archie pointed to it, and she immediately handed it to him.

“The safety is on,” she said. “I didn’t tell him that, of course.”

The man she referred to now had a handkerchief stuffed into his mouth. He looked up at the masked gang, but didn’t flinch.

“Oh, ’e’s a tough one, all right,” said Archie. “Nice job with the knots, Sparks.”

“That was me,” said Gwen. “Between the first aid and the ropes, my Girl Guide training has proved exceptionally invaluable tonight.”

“Did he tell you anything useful?” asked Iris.

“He said quite a few things,” replied Gwen. “But nothing I can repeat in front of company.”

“We could work ’im over, if you like,” offered Archie.