The candle flame burns steadily, without flickering.

There is no sound of footsteps to herald another person's approach. But a faint sliver of light appears under the door at the far end of the study -- the door that leads to the rest of the house -- half a second before it opens and a tall figure in a hat and a high-collared cloak enters the room.

The hat is set on a low table by the door; the cloak is unfastened and removed. And as the figure turns round, the light of the single candle on the desk is reflected in Commodore Lyon's dark eyes as he looks directly at Elizabeth.

Then, quietly:

'I moved a few papers to the second drawer on the left-hand side. It should be unlocked.'