‘Of course. The Grand Master presides over every special event.’

And Saunders would be there too, Ben thought. He wouldn’t have to know his name to recognise him instantly. The man’s face was burned on his memory. He asked, ‘Everybody in their robes and bird masks?’

‘In honour of the god Thoth. The costume is an essential part of the ritual.’

‘Bunch of freaks. Keep it hidden under the bed, do you?’ Wolf said.

‘Of course not. Karswell Hall has dressing rooms where every member keeps his items in a personal locker.’

Ben thought for a moment. ‘I need to know how to get inside. What about security?’

‘Armed guards,’ Dudley replied. ‘I don’t know how many. Several. Plus there’s a vehicle checkpoint on the gate to the estate. You haven’t a chance of getting inside unless you’re on the guest list.’

‘We know about the checkpoint,’ Wolf said. ‘And about the cameras everywhere, too.’

‘No, the only cameras are the ones surveilling the perimeter and the lodge house where all the chauffeurs and bodyguards spend the evening,’ Dudley answered. ‘The main house and the immediate grounds are clear of them.’

Ben was suspicious. ‘Why?’

‘Because of the concern that our members’ anonymity could be compromised if anyone ever managed to hack into the security system.’

Wolf gave a cynical grunt. ‘Well, isn’t it nice that nobody else in this country can go anywhere without getting filmed all the time, but you fuckers get to be shielded from it?’

‘You’d better be damn sure about this,’ Ben warned Dudley.

‘I swear, it’s true. I know, because I was also on the committee that approved it. That’s the reason the checkpoint security don’t look inside the vehicles. They require an admission pass before letting anyone in, but they’re not authorised to see the faces of the attendees.’

‘Including your own ugly fizzog,’ Wolf said. ‘I suppose you’re invited to this shindig as well, are you?’

‘I have to go. It’s expected of me!’

‘How were you planning on travelling there?’ Ben asked.

‘The same as always, in the Bentley.’

‘With your bodyguards?’

‘Two of them, but they spend the evening with the other bodyguards and drivers, in a lodge house on the estate. Nobody’s allowed to come out. They have no idea of what goes on.’

‘What about the admission pass?’

‘It’s just a plain piece of card with a number on it. Like a ticket. They’re sent out by post two days before every event.’

‘And where’s yours?’

‘I … I left it in the car. I always do, in case I forget.’