“No, he didn’t. I asked him to remain silent about it. And he gave me his word he wouldn’t mention it to anyone.”

“He and I have no secrets. You should know that by now.”

“That’s not true, either. I’m not sure your uncle Willie trusts you as much as you think he does, Robin. Plus, your uncle Willie’s word actually means something. Which means someone else mentioned it to you.”

“Like who?”

“Why don’t you tell me? Who knows? You might appreciate a little confession. No?” I smiled patiently. “Besides, I am getting paid. That’s what’s in it for me. Since you ask. Your uncle promised me five thousand dollars. Or maybe he didn’t tell you that, either.”

“That was to handle the money transfer at the hotel. But you’ve done that. This tape business seems to be a lot more complicated.”

“All part of the same Grand Hôtel concierge service.”

“Yes, I suppose one could look at it that way.”

“I do.”

“Good of you. Thanks.”

“Will you be joining us to listen to the tape?” I asked.

“Yes. Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Have you listened to it, yourself?”

“Not yet. It’s really none of my business. And it seemed more courteous to wait until your uncle was present. He’s the one who’s been asked to pay two hundred thousand dollars for the tape, after all. Besides, I’m not sure any of it will mean very much to me. My English is good but it’s not perfect. I still have a problem working out what any of you people really mean. English is very different from German in that respect. In German people say exactly what they mean. Even when they would prefer to say something else.”

“Oh yes. Of course.”

It was time for me to play out a hunch I had.

“Maybe this is a good opportunity for us to talk frankly, Robin.”

“About what?”

“I was hoping you might volunteer something about this whole dirty business.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Sure you do.”

Robin smiled and feigned patience even as he fidgeted with his gold cuff links, nervously. “No, actually, old boy, I don’t.”

“By all accounts your uncle’s old friend and companion Gerald Haxton had some quite substantial gambling debts. At the casino in Nice, it turns out. I checked with a friend of mine who was the manager there for a while. Gerald was up to his gills in debt.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. About Gerald, that is.”

“Previously it was Gerald who put Louis up to blackmailing your uncle. To make some money for them both.”

“Yes, perhaps. Louis wasn’t my friend, exactly. He was Gerald’s.”

“Nevertheless you also went to bed with Louis. At least according to your uncle. Gerald as well, probably.”

“What of it?”