If I were to be caught here, alone with the dead man, my hands and clothing stained with his blood, I should be arrested.

The treaty must not be found on me.

Yet I must hide it, save it.

I made a dash for the window, and once outside, standing on the narrow balcony, I threw the candle-end into the room, aiming for the fire-place.

Faint starlight, sifting through heavy clouds, showed me a row of small flower-pots standing in a wooden box.