Carrying on reluctantly, I find a keyhole and take a peek. A rumble of voices. Figures are moving in a long, light room. It must be near the front of the house. I scurry up the stairs, keeping to the sides where the buffed wood is less likely to creak, then pause at the top. Another corridor, more doors. Whistling is coming from one of the rooms. I creep to the open doorway and peer in. A woman is making a bed.

Mouse-like, I hurry past.

So many rooms! There’s a room that contains only a huge white porcelain bath held up by metal lions’ paws, and a white wooden chair against the wall. Then, at the end of the corridor, I find a large room with tall windows that overlook the lawn and the river.

I creep inside, hardly breathing, terrified at my own boldness. A dark jacket is folded neatly over the back of a wooden chair. A small, exquisite desk stands in front of the windows. A spicy scent of cologne. This is the Director’s room, I’m sure of it, though I mustn’t stay long.

Papers on the desk. A pad covered in scribbled writing that means nothing to me. The statuette of a bear.

But this is where I could kill the Director. This is a place private enough for an assassination. It’s now or never! I look around quickly for somewhere to hide and wait for him. There’s a polished wooden wardrobe with an oval mirror in its door. A metal trunk at the end of the bed. The bed itself with a white cover, as if ironed.

One second, one breath is all it takes, and I’ve sneaked underneath the bed.

Just in time. I hear the maid’s footsteps as she goes down the stairs. The sound of doors opening and closing below. A woman’s laughter, rising on a high note. I lever the knife out of my trouser pocket, and flick open the blade.

Then comes the toot of an automobile horn and wheels crunching on gravel. Footsteps. Voices. Doors opening and shutting.

Suddenly somebody is coming up the stairs two at a time. A pair of black polished shoes walk into the room, and I hold my breath. It’s him. Here’s my chance. Count to ten, then I’ll slide out and rush the Director. One … two …