'I am not a fool. It would do no good to kill you. I have not yet discovered how much you know.'
I sensed the draught of the outer door opening. I must keep talking. 'Then why did you leave him behind. Captain Lovaas?'
'How do you know I leave him behind?'
'I am going on what you have told me, Captain Lovaas,' I answered in a strong voice.
'I tell you nothing,' he answered sharply. Then his brows dragged down over his eyes. 'Why do you talk so loud, eh? And why is it Kaptein Lovaas this and Kaptein Lovaas that? What are you up to, Mr Gansert?'
'Ah — so it is you, Mr Gansert?'
The voice came from behind me. But it was not the voice I had expected. I swung round. Dahler was standing in the doorway. His small figure was covered in snow. His features were grey, the line about the mouth deeply etched. And he was smiling that crooked enigmatic smile of his. 'Jorgensen has not arrived, eh?'
'Jorgensen?'
'Yes. He has not arrived?'
'No,' I said.