‘Well, that’s one way of putting it. Perfectly true. We are here to decide how best to blow the place up.’ His eyes glinted at the Wilsons’ expressions. ‘True. The owner has given up all hope of ever putting Ardvreck House in order. In these days of high inflation it would bankrupt him even to try. In addition it is so isolated here that it has lost all attraction for him. And maybe,’ he added thoughtfully, ‘he has boned up on its history and decided to live in something with rather less of an atmosphere. So he called us in. In three weeks’ time Smith and I will bring our own squad here, install our charges and, in the immortal words, “light the blue touch-paper and retire immediately”. Good practice for our men.’

‘But why are you here now?’ asked Carol.

‘When we learned that Mr Meredith and his friends would be billeted here this week we thought we should seize the chance of having a “recce” – you know, look over the house and select in a leisurely fashion the exact places where the explosives will be most effective. Wouldn’t do to cause an almighty and spectacular explosion then find that it had been “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”, with half the house still standing. Red faces all round.’

Before Meredith could continue, Ann Parish entered the lounge.

‘We’re serving lunch in ten minutes. Mr Hunt and his people have already eaten. They thought they would set up their things in here while you ate. You did say you wanted to begin at three, didn’t you?’

‘That’s right.’ Meredith rose. ‘Perhaps we should continue our talk over lunch.’

In their bedroom Carol turned to her husband.

‘Did you believe all that stuff?’

‘I’m not sure. Even if Meredith believes it, it’s possible that most of it was due to imagination, or hysteria, or exaggeration.’ He dug a towel and sponge-bag from his suitcase. ‘Let’s see what he has to say over lunch.’

She straightened up from rummaging in her own case.

‘All right. I won’t be a minute.’

When she had gone, he sat on the edge of the bed, chewing over Meredith’s story. It could well be true in so far as it was an account of the history of Ardvreck House. But his purpose in being here with his companions could be utterly divorced from anything to do with the house. If so, his account could be simply a smoke-screen to hide his real objectives from the eyes of the two unexpected guests. Paul remembered the man he had seen at the upper window. Again he wondered if he was the only one hidden away. He got up and went to the window. Outside the heavy flakes fell silently downwards to add their fresh contribution to the white shroud covering the ground.