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“Aren’t we in trouble already?” Prosper carefully lifted the tortoise off the sand that Victor had poured into the bottom of the box. “She looks a bit parched.”

“She always looks like that,” sighed Victor. “But she needs fresh lettuce, water, and a little walk. Goon, let her walk around a bit on the blanket.”

Prosper tried not to laugh, but he did as Victor said.

“Her name’s Paula. Her husband is at this moment sitting all byhimself in his box under my desk and is worried sick.” Victor moved his toes. They were tingling terribly. “You’ll have to look after him as well if you want to keep me here tied up like a giant sausage roll.”

Prosper couldn’t help it, he had to grin. He turned his face, but Victor had seen it.”Anything else?”

“No.” Victor tried to shift into a more comfortable position but with no success.”So. Let’s have our little chat — that’s what you came in for, isn’t it?”

Prosper pushed his dark hair back and listened. A quiet snore came from outside. “That’s Mosca,”

Prosper said. “He was supposed to keep watch but he’s sleeping like a baby.”

“Why keep watch?” Victor stifled a yawn. “Where would I go, wrapped up like a silkworm?”

Prosper shrugged. He placed the flashlight next to him on the floor and started to inspect his fingernails.

“You’re after me and my brother, right?” he asked without looking at Victor. “My aunt told you to look for us.”

Victor shrugged. “Your little girlfriend stole my wallet — you must have found her card in there.”

Prosper nodded. “How did Esther find out we’re inVenice ?” He pressed his forehead against his pulled-up knees.

“It took some time and cost a lot of money, your uncle told me.” Victor caught himself looking at the boy sympathetically.

“You would never have found us if I hadn’t run into you.”

“Maybe not.Your hideout’s quite unusual.”

Prosper looked around. “Scipio found it for us. He also makes sure we have enough money to live on. If it wasn’t for him, we’d be in real trouble. Riccio used to steal a lot. Mosca and Hornet were both doing pretty badly too, before they met Scipio. They don’t like to talk about it. Hornet found Bo and me, and Scipio took us in.” Prosper lifted his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. You’re a detective —you’ve probably found this out already, haven’t you?”

Victor shook his head. “Your friends are none of my business,” he said. “But it’s my job to make sure that you and your brother have a home again. Hasn’t it occurred to you that your brother is too young to get along without parents? What happens if the Thief Lord, as he seems to like to call himself, stops looking after you?Or if the police find you here? Do you want Bo to grow up in a children’s home?And what about you? Wouldn’t it be easier for you to be teasing your teachers in a boarding school rather than acting the grown-up when you’re only twelve?”