‘Sorry,’ said Jack, trying to circumnavigate the massive man. But Rowland had already diverted back towards the stage. He had a clear run to the area behind the stage and its exit on to the street. Their quarry was about to escape! Then he heard the jangle of gold rings on a shakujō staff as Yori admirably tried to locate the fleeing artist and block his path. Whether by luck or good judgement, Yori converged with Rowland at the foot of the stage.

‘Out of my way!’ cried Rowland, coming face to face with the diminutive monk. But Yori stood firm, his shakujō staff planted in the packed earth. Rowland tried to push him aside, but Yori proved immovable as stone, his whole being grounded with the power of ki.

Jack hurried over to trap the artist as Akiko leapt off the lower gallery and closed in from the opposite direction. Hemmed in on all sides, Rowland clambered on to the stage and made for the back curtain. However, as he dashed across the open stage, Rose threw her bag of nuts at him. Scattering everywhere, the nuts rolled under his feet and sent him crashing to the floor. The spectators roared with laughter at the pratfall.

Jack jumped on to the stage and advanced on the flailing artist. Judging by his instinct to flee, the man clearly knew about the locket and who had commissioned the miniature, and he was obviously scared … like Mrs Winters. But why?

Jack’s gut tightened. He now feared even more for his sister’s safety.

Scrambling to his feet, Rowland seized a rapier from the back wall – a theatrical prop yet real and sharp enough to cut. ‘Stay back!’ he warned Jack, brandishing the weapon.

Considering how wildly the sword’s tip wavered, Jack realized the artist was no swordsman. Still, following his recent duelling experience, Jack no longer underestimated the deadliness of a rapier’s reach and speed. He drew his katana in readiness, triggering an awed intake of breath from the audience.

‘I said, stay back!’

Rowland lunged forward, thrusting the rapier at Jack’s chest.

Jack deftly moved aside, at the same time striking down with his katana. Their swords clashed. Rowland retreated, then thrust again. Having no wish to kill the man, Jack deflected the attack with the edge of his blade before slamming the flat of his sword across Rowland’s wrist. He howled in pain and dropped his rapier. As the weapon clattered on to the stage, Jack surged forward with his katana out straight. Its tip touched Rowland’s bare throat above his ruff and forced him back against one of the stage columns.

Fishing the locket from his pocket, Jack held it before the artist’s eyes. ‘Tell me what you know about this!’ he demanded.

‘I’ve never seen it before in my life,’ declared Rowland.