After a little weep, Frau Egger assured Hanne and Prince that she’d been forced into the job and she wanted them to understand she was as much a victim as the Jews claimed they were.

‘Two men stayed at the house: one of them had just one arm and was German, though I’ve no idea where he was from other than he wasn’t Bavarian – I’d recognise that accent. He never gave me his name. The other one was younger and he had that Viennese accent that sounds as if they’re giving you instructions. He even asked me if I had a daughter who’d want to come and work there, can you believe that?’

She stopped and had another weep. ‘You promise I’m not going to be arrested?’

‘I don’t know, Frau Egger, you’ve still not told us very much. What about the guards?’

‘Two of them, also Germans. What else can I say?’

‘Far more than you’ve done so far, if you want to stay out of trouble.’

Frau Egger dabbed her eyes with a crumpled handkerchief, which she then used to wipe her nose. ‘One day I heard the man with one arm call the younger one Friedrich: they didn’t realise I was in the next room. Just Friedrich, no other name. Is that good enough?’

‘What happened to them? How come the house was empty?’

‘You won’t find them, you know.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘All four of them left: the man with one arm, the younger one he called Friedrich and the two guards. One afternoon they told me they were leaving that night and I was to give the place a more thorough clean the next day and that I’d have to let myself in. They were wearing mountain clothing and special boots. That’s why I say you won’t find them: they’ve gone over the Alps!’ Frau Egger leaned back defiantly and allowed a thin smile to cross her face.

‘But Richard, you heard what that woman told us – they’ve crossed the Alps. Why are we sitting here in Villach drinking tea? You English are so… cautious!’

‘Because another telegram has come through from Bartholomew – look.’

TURIN, FRIDAY

PRINCE EYES ONLY

ADVISE CARTER & HAMILTON TRAVELLED THURSDAY GENEVA TO TURIN, ITALY. CURRENTLY STAYING IN APARTMENT IN VANCHIGLIA DISTRICT. FIELD SECURITY SECTION TURIN ASSISTING. SUGGEST YOU JOIN TEAM IN TURIN URGENT. STOP.

BARTHOLOMEW, TURIN

‘When did that arrive?’

‘While we were with Frau Egger. So we were right all along: their destination is Turin. Maybe the idea is to hold them there until they can arrange their escape by sea. We’ll set out first thing in the morning.’

Prince woke early the following day and noticed that Hanne was sitting on the side of the bed, her head in her hands.

‘Are you all right?’

She turned to face him. In the half-light he could just make out a smile and the glistening of perspiration on her brow.

‘I don’t feel too good, Richard. I think it may be something I ate last night.’