‘It must be the entrance to that tunnel out there,’ Angus said. He turned to Bill. ‘It’s all right. I’m not going down there. I don’t have the right equipment and I’m not stupid enough to go into dark places that might collapse on me at any moment.’

Two other heritage officials arrived just then and were ecstatic about the tunnel and passage. One woman clambered down into the hole and shone a powerful torch along the tunnel.

‘I can see where a narrow passage from the house leads into it. I wonder how they hid the other end upstairs? We’ve got equipment in the van to check things out but it’d be better with more people involved. Government cuts are playing havoc with our department. Thank heavens for volunteers!’

She paused for thought. ‘I wonder … Do you think the local fire and rescue services would lend a hand? They sometimes do when there’s a possibility of danger to the public, which there is here. And of course it gives them a cost-free exercise for their junior staff.’

‘You can just imagine what mischief some lads might get up to if they found a way in at the other end,’ her companion said. ‘Worth a try.’

‘We’d better set up a temporary barrier at this end, at least,’ the woman said. ‘Sorry, folks, but we won’t be investigating the tunnel till we get help. At best it’ll be tomorrow.’

‘Who’s going to keep watch tonight on the tunnel?’ Angus asked. ‘I was up all last night keeping watch on the house and I’ve no intention of spending another night trying to stay upright.’

The woman hesitated then looked at her companions. ‘I’ll volunteer if my partner can come and join me. He’s not in an official position but he does a lot of volunteer work.’

The three heritage officials turned to look at Angus enquiringly.

He waved one hand. ‘Be my guest. But there’s no furniture in the house for you to sleep on.’

‘We’ve got camping equipment. We can make do. And we can start work on securing the things in the inner room while we’re waiting for help.’

So Nell and Angus left them to it and went back to get some sleep.

Late that afternoon, Dorling rang up Hobkins and had to spend a long time soothing him. ‘No one will know about our little agreement,’ he said several times.

When Hobkins put the phone down, the door to his office opened and he swung round. No one was allowed to come in unless they knocked and he called out, ‘Enter’.

Except his boss.

He stood up. ‘Charles. Nice to see you.’

Then a man in police uniform stepped out from behind his boss and Hobkins’ heart began to thump.

‘You’re being investigated for conspiracy and fraud. Pack your things and go home. If you get in touch with Bryce Dorling again in any way, you will be charged with further offences.’

Numbly he began to put his personal possessions together.