She got to the other side, kept walking without looking back. Finally, she stopped, tucked one of the guns into her waistband and took out the Echo Stone. Gordon flickered into existence.

He looked around. “Did my plan work?”

“He led them away,” Valkyrie said. “How long will it take him to get back to us?”

“A few minutes,” Gordon said. “We could play I spy while we wait. I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with c.”

“Caves,” said Valkyrie.

“You’re really good at this.”

“We should probably conserve the stone’s power.”

“Ah, yes, I suppose you’re right. Let me know when Skulduggery gets back.”

He faded again, and she waited.

Gordon reappeared. He looked around. “Where’s Skulduggery?”

“He hasn’t got back yet,” Valkyrie said. “It’s been half an hour.”

Gordon’s smile dropped. “Oh. That’s … that’s unexpected.”

“Are you sure your directions were accurate?”

“Absolutely,” said Gordon. “There is no doubt in my mind. I suppose … I suppose there may have been a cave-in over the years, something that could have cut off the tunnel, but …”

“Do you think he’s in trouble?”

Gordon was quiet for a moment. Then he brightened. “I know what’s happened. If there was a cave-in, and there may very well have been, he probably went further on. The next tunnel he found would lead him on a more complicated route, but so long as he kept going in roughly the same direction, he’ll rejoin us shortly. Not here, though – further on. Do you think it’s wise for us to go on alone?”

Valkyrie glanced back at the bridge. “I don’t know, but I don’t like the idea of being here if those tigers decide to come back.”

“A wise precaution,” said Gordon. “Very well, then, straight on we go. Oh, I do love adventures. I like this one especially, because I don’t have to walk anywhere.”

Valkyrie grunted, and started walking.

She followed Gordon’s directions, even when she was sure he was making it up as he went along. But every time he said they were about to encounter a particular feature, that feature duly appeared, so she stopped doubting him. He led her through the light and into the dark, and it was while she was in the shadows that her foot kicked something that clattered across the rock floor.

She flicked on the torch and crouched. The light glinted off empty shell casings.

“Hmm,” said Gordon. “A lot of bullets were used here.”

“Automatic weapons,” Valkyrie said, scattering the casings with her fingers. “High-powered rifles. Explosives, too, judging by the craters on the wall over there – looks like rocket-propelled grenades. All recent.”

Gordon sounded impressed. “You’re turning out to be quite the detective.”