“We’ll think of something,” he said. Even through the thickness of the wall we heard an almighty crash. And a scream. Then as we waited, alert and ready, the wall swung open and we blinked in the light. Queenie stood before us, her eyes as wide as saucers, her face a mask of terror. “Blimey, miss, I thought you was a goner,” she said.

I staggered out, breathing hard. “Queenie, what on earth are you doing here?” I demanded. “How did you know?”

“Well, miss, I saw that lady again in the village and she asked me more funny questions about you and Mr. Darcy. Then I saw her heading off in the direction of the castle and I thought I should warn you she was coming so I followed her. And I watched her go after you and sneak into the castle. I didn’t think there was any real danger, mind you, until I saw her take out that gun. And I wasn’t quite sure what to do then, because I ain’t had no real dealings with guns and I didn’t want to get shot. So I stayed well hidden, but I was standing behind one of them suits of armor, and when she locked you up and was going to escape I thought I might take out the pike the man in armor was carrying and bash her on the bonce.”

“What?” I asked.

“’It her on the ’ead,” she clarified. “But the bloody thing wouldn’t come loose and then when I yanked it hard, the whole ruddy thing toppled over. And the helmet came flying off and bashed that woman on the head as she was going past. She went out like a light.”

We went around the corner and there, in the long gallery, Lola Martinez was lying sprawled on the floor. The gun lay a few feet away from her. Darcy leaped to retrieve it.

“We need something to tie her up with,” he said.

“The cord from the lamp will do for now.” I ran to retrieve it, yanking it from the socket. As I drew her arms together she suddenly came back to life and turned on me like a wild thing, clawing and scratching, going for my throat. Darcy tried to grab her as we rolled over together. Queenie ran to the weapons on the wall and took down a shield. As Lola tried to choke me Queenie brought the shield crashing down on Lola’s head. For the second time Lola slumped forward, unconscious. And around me on the floor I heard a tinkling sound, like the pattering of rain. Darcy dragged Lola off me and helped me to my feet. Queenie stood there, still looking scared and amazed. And the floor sparkled with hundreds of cut diamonds.