‘So what happened?’

‘Before anyone could shoot,’ said Zoltan, ‘I saw an extraordinary thing. Some bullets from our fight had smashed a hole in the floor. And through this hole I saw the glint of gold.

‘Hidden beneath those showers were all the treasures from the palazzo. The owners had stored all their valuables there when war broke out. In our excitement we forgot that we were enemies. We climbed down and gazed at a fortune. Ugo’s brother Guido was a religious man and said we should not touch it. Ten minutes later Guido was dead. With Ugo’s knife planted in his back. Carnifex had killed his own brother, the man who had saved his life. And why? For gold. All for gold.

‘Ugo and I worked hard. We dragged the treasure from the cellar and buried it in the woods. Then we swore an oath never to tell anyone about it and arranged to return when the war was over. I had had enough of fighting, though. I made my way down through Albania into Greece, where I started my glorious career as a pirate and a smuggler.’

‘And was the treasure still there when you came back?’ asked James.

Zoltan laughed. ‘What do you think?’ he said. ‘Ugo is now a rich man and I just have my boat and the clothes I am wearing.’

‘He beat you to it,’ said James.

‘Yes. He sold most of it. Those pieces that were easy to dispose of, the silver and the gold. Other pieces he graciously gave to me to sell for him. I knew many men around the Mediterranean who asked no questions. I split the profits with Ugo, always on the promise that there would be bigger, more valuable items the next time.

‘But, while I stayed a smuggler, living from one day to the next, spending my money as soon as I had it, Ugo was more clever. He wanted a palazzo like the one we had looted. He kept his money and went into mining.’

James saw a glimmer of hope pierce the gloom of his depression. Perhaps there still was someone who could help him. Someone unlikely, but a potential ally nevertheless.

This wounded Hungarian pirate.

‘You’re not interested in his plans, are you?’ said James. ‘For the Millenaria?’

‘No,’ said Zoltan. ‘I just want to get my money and go.’

‘Ugo hasn’t paid you yet?’ said James.

‘No. I brought him exactly what he asked for, but he is slow to pay.’

James could see the bitterness and hatred behind Zoltan’s eyes. There must be some way he could use him against Ugo, but he had to be sure.

‘He’ll never pay you,’ he said and Zoltan looked shocked.

‘What?’

‘He’ll betray you again,’ said James. ‘Why would you trust him?’

Zoltan stared at James. ‘You are very wise for a young boy.’

‘Am I wise, or are you stupid?’ said James.