I had heard leisure travel was sordid. Still, people speak badly of all successful businesses. The public even despises informers, I am told.

Everything began competently,' Caesius conceded.. Organisers called Seven Sights Travel arranged the trip. They emphasised that it would be cheaper, safer, and much more convenient if a group went together.'

But it was not safer for Caesia! So what happened?' I demanded.

Again the father steadied his breath.. I was told,' he stressed,. that while they stayed at Olympia, she disappeared. After extensive searching – that was how they described it anyway – the rest of the group continued on their way.' His voice was cold.. Like me, you may find that surprising.'

Who informed you?'

One of the Seven Sights staff came to my house here.'

Name?'

Polystratus.' I wrote it down.. He was sympathetic, told a good story, said Caesia had suddenly left the party, no one knew why. I was too shocked to interrogate him closely; in any case, he was just a messenger. He seemed to be saying Caesia had caused them inconvenience, by flighty behaviour. Apparently the other travellers just woke up one morning, when they were preparing to embark for their next venue, and she was not to be found.' Caesius became indignant.. It was almost as if Seven Sights were claiming financial compensation for the delay.'

Have they softened up now?'

Given that she is dead.

Now they are frightened that you may sue them.

Caesius looked blank. He had not thought of it. His one motivation was finding the truth, to help him in his grief.. The tour had a

travelling manager called Phineus. Falco, it took me some time to find out that Phineus had left the group when Caesia disappeared; he returned at once to Rome. I find his behaviour deeply suspicious.' Now we were getting to his angry theories.