Chapter Three
When Konrad and Nanda arrived at Surnin Place some twenty minutes later, they were not immediately granted admittance.
‘I am sorry, sir,’ said an ashen-faced butler, clutching the red-painted front door as though his knees might otherwise melt from under him. ‘There can be no guests admitted today.’
‘We are not guests,’ said Konrad firmly. ‘We are here at Inspector Nuritov’s insistence. Go and ask him, if you please.’
‘I have strict orders, sir—’
‘Go and ask him.’
‘Konrad?’ came Alexander’s voice, and the door swung wider, revealing the inspector himself. ‘Come in, come in. Haven’t moved the head yet; thought you might like a look at it before we do.’
Konrad moved past the butler, receiving a goggle-eyed look of horror as he did so. What did the fool man think, that Ko
