For a moment Zoltan looked like he was going to strangle him, but then his features softened and he started to laugh. ‘I have killed men for speaking to me like that,’ he said. ‘You are lucky that I like you.’

James took something from his pocket and handed it to Zoltan.

‘What is this?’ said the pirate. ‘A ring?’

‘What do you think it’s worth?’ said James.

‘Nothing,’ said Zoltan tossing it back. ‘It is tin.’

‘Not silver?’ said James.

‘No,’ said Zoltan.

‘I didn’t think so,’ said James.

‘Where did you get it?’ asked Zoltan.

‘The lovely Countess Jana gave it to me,’ said James. ‘Ugo behaves like a rich man, but he’s flat broke. All his money has gone on building this place. He’s a fake, like this ring. Victor told me that there never was any silver in these mines. He’s been selling stolen art to get what little money he has. He’ll never pay you, because he can’t afford to. That’s why he needs those other men to join him, because they’re wealthy.’

Zoltan was about to say something in reply when they were interrupted by a jangle of keys at the door and presently Smiler came in with a scruffy young guard. He looked at Zoltan and this time James could tell that he definitely wasn’t smiling.

22

22

The Deadliest Animal in the World

‘What are you doing here?’ said the Scotsman.

‘That is none of your business,’ said Zoltan, standing up.

‘I said, what are you doing here?’ Smiler repeated, a note of menace in his voice.

Zoltan turned to James. ‘Smiler used to work for me, you know, James,’ he said. ‘He was one of my crew. But when he met Ugo, his greedy little heart told him to jump ship and move up in the world.’

‘You’re a loser,’ said Smiler. ‘I just decided to back the winning horse.’

‘As always,’ said Zoltan and he rested his good hand on James’s shoulder. ‘You see that scar of his?’ he went on. ‘His old gang in Glasgow did that to him when they found out he had been selling them one by one to the police. But do you know the funny thing? Smiler is a good Catholic boy. Before he turned to crime, Smiler trained to be a priest. What happened, Smiler? Why don’t you tell the boy?’

‘It was the Jesuits,’ said Smiler affably, happy to talk about himself. ‘They were rather too fond of whipping us boys. One day I’d had enough. I took the cane off Father McCann and smashed his skull in with it. Then I walked out of there and joined up with a local gang. That was much more to my liking.’

‘Until you betrayed them,’ said Zoltan.

‘I’ve never had any loyalty to anyone but myself,’ said Smiler.