“I’m worried about old Umberto,” I said. “Where do you think he has gone? Would the contessa have taken him, too?”

“Hardly likely,” he said. “I expect the old man has returned to his family. He has a daughter living nearby, you know. On the island of Vignole.”

We stood looking at each other.

“Well, I expect you want to get on with selecting paintings for safekeeping,” I said. “Would you like me to stay and help you?”

“That’s not necessary,” he said. “I need to take measurements. Have crates built.”

“I think you should not waste any time. The place is crawling with Germans. If I were you, I’d remove the most valuable pieces and store them where they can’t readily be found. Maybe in the gardener’s quarters? Or Umberto’s old room?”

“That’s not a bad idea,” he said. “I wonder if they are open or if I can find the keys?”

“I believe they kept the spare keys by the kitchen door,” I said. I had no idea if this was true, but he nodded and to my relief headed down the hall towards the kitchen and servants’ quarters. I sprinted up the stairs, keeping as quiet as possible.

“Hanni, come with me now,” I said. I put my fingers to my lips and tiptoed her down the stairs. “Go out into the garden and hide amongst those big bushes by the gate,” I said. “I’ll come in a minute.”

“What about my things?”

“I’m afraid we have to leave everything. I expect I can come back for them later, but now it’s too dangerous. Just go.”

She darted out of the front door, and I watched her until she disappeared amongst the shrubbery. I didn’t waste another minute but went through to the library. I took the cardboard folder from the drawer, removed the drawings from it and stashed them under my coat. Then I went back towards the kitchen, to find Vittorio coming towards me.

“You were right. There is a bunch of keys. I will try one for the garden storage place.”

“I couldn’t find her address book, unfortunately,” I said. “So I must head home. There are so few vaporetti these days.”

“It was a pleasure to see you again, Miss Browning,” he said, giving me a little bow.

“The feeling is mutual, Signor Scarpa.”

I walked out of the door and down the front path, feeling his eyes still upon me. I heard the door closing and breathed a sigh of relief. When I was close to the front gate, I paused, checking my surroundings, until I was sure that nobody was in sight. Then I whispered for Hanni. She came out. I took her hand, and we walked briskly down the boulevard.

“Listen,” I said. “If anyone asks you, you are my little sister, Elena Alioto. Capisce?”

She nodded, her eyes still wide with fear.