‘It has been suggested to me that I am a kleptomaniac,’ she wrote. ‘But I am sure my mind is perfectly sane. I have no such excuse. I am a plain, downright thief. This is only one of my many peculations. I steal money, or anything that I want, whenever I can, nearly always. It amuses me – and one must be amused. I have only two stipulations: that the person to whom it belongs does not need it pressingly, and that there is not the smallest chance of being found out. (And of course, I could not think of stealing from my one friend.) It would be extremely inconvenient to be known as a thief, merely.’

Angel thought that, had he ever been fortunate enough to have a daughter, he would have wanted her to turn out like Mary MacLane.

Louis appeared from the kitchen.

‘You still reading that book?’

‘You should give it another try,’ said Angel. ‘She was a singular young woman. Listen to this: “I am not trying to justify myself for stealing. I do not consider it a thing that needs to be justified, any more than walking or eating or going to bed.”’

‘You ever consider telling that to a judge?’ said Louis.

‘It never crossed my mind.’

‘If it ever does, I recommend that you bite your tongue.’

Angel looked at him from over the top of his spectacles.

‘You seem distracted,’ he said.

‘I’ve got a feeling, like something scratching at my brain.’

Angel let the book close, but used a finger to mark his page. He knew better than to utter some platitude in reply. When Louis was disturbed like this – and such instances were rare – clouds were gathering. It was not a psychic ability, or any form of sixth sense. It was simply a function of Louis’s instinct for self-preservation, and linked to his predatory capacities. It was an atavistic response that had, in recent years, extended itself to encompass all those under his protection.

‘Are we in trouble?’ said Angel.

‘No,’ said Louis. He thought for a moment. ‘But someone is.’

Chapter VII

De Jaager was seated in another hardbacked chair, this time in the larger of the upper bedrooms. His hands were restrained behind his back. The room contained two iron-frame beds. Anouk was tied to one, Liesl to the other. Both women were gagged and both were naked. Two men that De Jaager had not seen before now, and whom he did not recognize, were standing beside the beds. Each had a knife in his hand. There were marks on the throats of the women, probably where the blades had been held to keep them quiet.