They're not going to let Swann rest in peace. Not now,not ever. We have to save him, D'Amour.'

Harry stopped walking and studied the man's face.To pass him in the street, he mused, you wouldn't havetaken him for a lunatic.

'Did Butterfield go upstairs?' Valentin enquired.

'Yes he did. Why?'

'Do you remember if he approached the casket?'

Harry shook his head.

'Good,' said Valentin. 'Then the defences are holding,which gives us a little time. Swann was a fine tactician,you know. But he could be careless. That was how theycaught him. Sheer carelessness. He knew they werecoming for him. I told him outright, I said we shouldcancel the remaining performances and go home. At leasthe had some sanctuary there.'

'You think he was murdered?'

'Jesus Christ,' said Valentin, almost despairing ofHarry, 'of course he was murdered.'

'So he's past saving, right? The man's dead.'

'Dead; yes. Past saving? no.'

'Do you talk gibberish to everyone?'

Valentin put his hand on Harry's shoulder, 'Oh no,'he said, with unfeigned sincerity. 'I don't trust anyonethe way I trust you.'

'This is very sudden,' said Harry. 'May I ask why?'

'Because you're in this up to your neck, the way I am,'Valentin replied.

'No I'm not,' said Harry, ,but Valentin ignored thedenial, and went on with his talk. 'At the moment wedon't know how many of them there are, of course.They might simply have sent Butterfield, but I thinkthat's unlikely.'

'Who's Butterfield with? The Mafia?'

'We should be so lucky,' said Valentin. He reachedin his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. 'Thisis the woman Swann was with,' he said, 'the night atthe theatre. It's possible she knows something of theirstrength.'

There was a witness?'

'She didn't come forward, but yes, there was. I was hisprocurer you see. I helped arrange his several adulteries,