‘There was no need,’ John agreed. ‘You’re a businessman, Max, and Mr Blenkiron’s sole concern is making off with his pretty toys. My sole interest is my survival and Vicky’s. My proposal will accomplish all those admirable aims, but you will have to make up your minds without delay. Herr Schmidt has an appointment with the director of the museum in’ – he glanced at the cheap watch that had replaced his – ‘in an hour and a quarter. If he hasn’t heard from me before he leaves his present location he will take the pectoral with him and then, if you will excuse a cliché, the die will be cast. There’s barely time for Vicky to reach the Embassy providing she leaves within the next five minutes.’

Max’s eyes narrowed. ‘We must discuss this. It requires consultation.’

‘It’s your own fault,’ John said. ‘You oughtn’t to have selected such a remote hideout. Cairo traffic is difficult at any time of day or night.’

Maybe there was something to that business about auras. I could almost see the taut lines of tension crisscrossing the empty air like a cat’s cradle of coloured yarn. The strain of manipulating them was beginning to tell on John; his nonchalant pose hadn’t changed but his face was beaded with perspiration.

‘It sounds reasonable to me,’ Blenkiron said slowly. ‘So long as we have Tregarth, the others won’t risk – ’

‘You fools,’ Mary said suddenly. ‘Can’t you see what he’s doing?’

She had been standing quietly, hands folded and head bowed. It was her old pose of sweet submissiveness and the men, bless their chauvinist hearts, had dismissed her from consideration. But I had been afraid of this, and so had John. He straightened, taking his hands out of his pockets, but before he could speak Blenkiron said angrily, ‘Be still. You’ve already caused enough trouble.’

‘You sentimental idiot!’ She took a step forward. Her hands were empty, clasped and twisting. ‘Too fine-minded to hurt a woman, is that it? And you, Max, you’re getting soft too. I’m afraid I won’t be able to give you a favourable efficiency report on this job. Are you really stupid enough to let him hypnotize you into giving up the one thing that will force him to cooperate? I’ll show you how to get what you want. Hold on to him, Max.’

She didn’t wait to see him comply with her order. It would never have occurred to her that he might not.

Who needs a knife when she’s got diamonds? They are harder than steel. She had twisted the ring around and when her hand struck my face the stone opened up a long stinging cut.

When I opened my eyes John had her by the throat. I could see her mouth gaping in a struggle for air, her cheeks darkening.

Max hadn’t moved.