It was raining. Overhanging branches provided shelter, which made the testing climb easier. Cavalier began moving up. He looked back to see Amaz rushing to stride over the gangway to the shore followed by Leni. Cavalier waited until he was out of sight and then began to move fast, leaping up the steps. Halfway up he looked back. Amaz and Leni were not in sight. At the two hundredth step, Cavalier jumped off the stone fence and slid into a narrow crevasse. A few minutes later, he heard Amaz and Leni hurrying past. An out-of-breath Leni said, ‘He’ll be at the top cave … it runs fifty metres into the mountain … have you a torch …?’

Amaz didn’t reply. She was struggling. Like all weightlifters who did little aerobic work, such a climb was hard. It was even worse for Leni, whose main exercise appeared to be lifting a glass or cigar to his lips. Even now, Cavalier could see Leni held a cigar, but when they stopped for a few minutes, he didn’t have the energy to puff on it.

When they continued the climb and had curved up out of sight, Cavalier jumped back to the steps and made his way down, slower this time. The steps were wet and slippery. He boarded 092 and joined a group drinking beer. He received glares from Hollos, who could not hide his concern. When Amaz and Leni had not returned after half an hour, Geoffreys was keen to continue on.

‘They can take the cargo boat with Dubois,’ he said when Hollos protested. Moments later, the two late-comers came onboard, looking distressed and furtive. Leni was holding his shoulder. He explained he had slipped on the way down and had hurt his collarbone.

‘Could you have a look at him?’ Geoffreys asked Cavalier.

‘No,’ Cavalier said bluntly. He paused and locked eyes with Hollos. He smiled and added, ‘I am a doctor of literature. My wife is the doctor of medicine.’

Geoffreys and two of the women onboard helped strap Leni’s shoulder. Hollos and Amaz then took him to the cargo boat, where a heated discussion took place. Amaz rushed from the cargo boat, looking angry and nervous, and returned to the tourist vessel.

The cargo boat started up and moved on. The tourist boat followed. After half an hour, Cavalier moved over to where Amaz sat alone.

‘Mind if I join you?’ he asked.

Amaz glared but said nothing.

‘Your mates have taken off without you,’ he observed. ‘Will you be going on to Luang Prabang?’

Amaz stirred her coffee and looked around as if she would protest. Geoffreys was up the other end of the boat.

‘Are you trying to intimidate me?’ she asked, her stare steady.

‘Are you planning to kill me?’ Cavalier replied, his expression now cold.

‘What?’

‘I know you have a gun under that jacket. What is it? A small Beretta?’

Amaz was stunned.