None of us knew just what to make of that. Mrs Lehner, for her part, retreated to the familiar safety of her bar, the orders of food and drink, and the glasses that needed polishing. These she took to with some fury.

‘Do you believe that, truly?’ I asked the boy.

‘It is my scientific opinion, yes.’

I raised an eyebrow at that, but Eder appeared utterly unsurprised by his son’s answer. How they sat together in that moment, father and son, gave me the impression this was a subject discussed to the point of its banning in their household.

‘Perhaps you might show me your findings one day?’

He graciously acquiesced.

‘But for now,’ I said, ‘I’d like you to tell me how you found Constable Webber, and why you were there at all.’

‘I found him as you did: dead,’ the boy said, his calm and even tone indicative of curiosity rather than any fear or potential trauma. Victor seemed unfazed by his experience, but I knew that could change with time.

‘And how did you know he was dead?’

‘I kicked him.’

‘Victor!’ the mayor said. I raised a hand to forestall any fatherly admonishment – such a thing could be quite distracting.

‘Why did you kick him?’ I said.

‘Because he wouldn’t answer me. I thought he was asleep, or drunk; the constable liked to drink, even early at night.’

‘Now, Victor, stop these lies,’ Eder said.

‘I have evidence.’ Victor reached into his pocket and produced a little notebook. ‘My day-brother and I keep a record of all our shared findings.’ He showed me neat, ordered pages in notably different handwriting.

‘You work together on your experiments, both sides of the ettiene?’ I asked, failing to keep the surprise from my voice. I could not imagine Alexsander and I working so harmoniously towards a shared goal.

‘Of course,’ Victor said. ‘There is much of scientific interest that happens during daylight hours.’ He flicked through the notebook. ‘As to Constable Webber… “Tuesday, August 15th, observed Constable Webber at bridge. He did not walk straight.”’ He turned the page. ‘“Thursday, August—”’

‘That’s quite enough!’ Eder whispered harshly, glancing about the inn. ‘You should not speak ill of the dead.’

Victor wrinkled his nose at such superstition.

‘The constable didn’t notice you kicking him,’ I said, returning to the boy’s narrative.

‘No. And I soon discovered he wasn’t breathing, on account of the pages.’

I stared down at the boy, who calmly stared back – as cherubic as a young scientist could be. In that moment I found him quite terrifying.

‘And the purpose of your visit?’ I said, moving swiftly on.

‘Delivering mother’s invitation,’ he said. ‘I have yours here.’ He pulled a letter from a different pocket than that of his notebook, and placed it on the table. I imagined there were a great many pockets to be found about the boy. I looked down upon the letter as if the pale dappled stock was really the striped skin of an adder, and the red wax seal its murderous eye. I made no move to pick it up, but the spell was broken somewhat by the arrival of Mrs Lehner and our food.