Akiko selected a bow and strained as she attempted to pull back its string. ‘The draw strength must be at least double that of my yumi!’ she exclaimed.

‘They can shoot up to four hundred yards,’ Sir Henry said proudly.

Akiko’s mouth fell open. ‘That’s twice the range of a Japanese bow!’ she said, impressed.

Yori appeared more taken with a huge portrait on the opposite wall. It was of their host, in a steel breastplate, striking a heroic pose.

‘A fine work, don’t you think?’ boasted Sir Henry, crossing his arms and assuming a stance very similar to the one in his portrait.

Yori leaned in, studying it closely. ‘Mmm, wonderful brushwork,’ he murmured.

‘You get a better perspective from here,’ advised their host.

Yori stepped back a little and nodded his head in respectful appreciation.

‘I think the further away, the better,’ mumbled Signor Horatio under his breath. Rose overheard his jibe at Sir Henry and smothered a giggle.

Missing the remark himself, Sir Henry escorted them through to the main hall, a high-ceilinged, wood-panelled chamber with lattice casement windows overlooking the lawns and formal knot garden. A group of musicians were setting up at the far end, while actors were rehearsing their parts and scenery was being erected upon a makeshift stage. Servants bustled to and fro, putting up decorations, stacking the central fireplace with fresh wood, and preparing a long table for what promised to be a sumptuous banquet.

‘This is the Great Hall where the festivities and feasting will take place this evening,’ Sir Henry explained. ‘Now if you’ll excuse me, I have much to do. Please be back here at six o’clock sharp. Until then, make yourselves at home. I’ll arrange with the servants to prepare rooms for you on the second floor and leave costumes on the beds. Do please dress up this evening – it is a masque, after all!’

Their host strode out of the hall, barking orders to his servants as he went. The five of them stood for a moment amid the chaos and manic preparations. Then Rose said, ‘Do you believe Sir Henry’s story about the ghost?’

‘Well, he seemed convinced,’ said Signor Horatio.

‘In Japan we call ghosts yūrei,’ explained Yori. ‘Such spirits are thought to be the souls of people robbed of life and denied a peaceful afterlife. So his story would fit in with our beliefs.’

‘But I swear it was Jess’s face I saw in that window,’ said Jack. ‘Not some ghost.’

‘Then why don’t we take a look?’ suggested Akiko. ‘After all, Sir Henry did say to make ourselves at home.’