Kate tried to break away from him but his grasp on her tightened painfully. ‘Stand very still,’ he said in a loud, clear voice. ‘No one will get hurt if you do exactly as I say.’

A cry of fear rippled around the room and some of the gentlemen made as if to rush at Monks, but his men emerged from the crowd, forcing them back.

‘As you see,’ Monks continued calmly, ‘we are armed and not afraid to use our weapons. I want all the ladies to stand in the middle of the room – gentlemen move away.’

There were muttered protests but Monks’ men formed an armed circle around the centre of the dance floor, and the women huddled together, some of them sobbing while others faced their aggressors with silent fury.

‘Ladies, take off your jewels and drop them in my colleague’s hat. I want everything so don’t try to conceal your valuables or we might be forced to search you.’

One of Monks’ men walked round slowly, holding out a top hat into which the terrified women dropped their priceless pieces of jewellery.

‘And the gentlemen, take off your stick pins and gold pocket watches, but make one sudden move and you will face the consequences.’

Kate caught sight of Harry at the far end of the ballroom and she could see Ted and Augustus standing either side of the main doors with Joe close by.

‘I can see you, Harry Trader,’ Monks said in a loud voice. ‘Don’t imagine I haven’t planned for all contingencies, but I have the trump card.’ He tightened his grip on Kate, clenching his arm under her chin, so that it was almost impossible for her to breathe, let alone to call out. ‘Miss Martin will be the first person to suffer if you make a move.’

Kate found herself pressed to Monks’ body but she managed to draw her right foot back far enough to deal him a sharp kick on the shin, and at the same moment she sunk her teeth into his wrist. He released her with a yelp of pain and she collapsed onto the floor. The women around them screamed and in their panic they moved as one body, pushing through the ring of Monks’ men in an attempt to reach safety. At the same moment the police rushed through the double doors and a scuffle broke out. Kate dragged herself to her feet and managed to reach Annie, who was crouched in a corner, obviously terrified.

Kate put her arms around the frightened girl. ‘You’re safe now, Annie. The police are here.’

‘What’s happening? Where’s Perry?’ Annie whispered through chattering teeth.

‘I’m sure he’s all right, and the police are gaining control.’ Kate looked up to see Ivy coming towards them. ‘Ivy, will you look after Annie? I want to find my mother and Lady Lyndon. I can’t see them anywhere.’