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Adelheid closed her eyes and whimpered softly. She knew that the end was nigh. Her abductor might not be a werewolf, but he had an almost bestial glitter in his eyes. There was no way out.

After Georg had spoken, it was silent in the study for a long time. Outside, a heavy rain was drumming down on the roof of the house. Finally, slowly and deliberately, like a giant boulder coming to life, Jakob nodded.

“Georg, you’re right,” he said softly. “We haven’t seen the forest for the trees. This madman thinks that by seizing Barbara, he has a relative of the former Bamberg executioner in his clutches. He abducted not just Hauser, but also my little girl, and he’ll pay a heavy price for that.”

Magdalena saw how he clenched his fists as his face became nearly expressionless. She had seen her father before in a situation like this, and she knew he was far more dangerous now than when he was ranting and making a fuss.

That’s the way he is just before the executions, she thought. Clear and cold as rock crystal.

He turned suddenly to Bartholomäus and Georg. “You two know your way around in this city and the surroundings. Is there someplace around here you haven’t checked yet that this Salter, or Haan, might have taken my daughter?”

Georg seemed to be thinking. “I can’t tell you we’ve turned over every stone in Bamberg this morning. Of course he could have hidden her in some cellar. . but I don’t think so.”

“And what do you think, then, O wise one?”

“I think he’s hiding her somewhere outside of town.” It seemed like Georg was doing everything he could to build up his own courage, and his words now sounded more confident and animated. “Salter could have taken his two prisoners, if they were still alive, out of town in a fishing boat. In that way he evades the checks at the city gates, and if he hides them under a blanket or something, no one will notice. That’s what I would do.”

“He’ll probably take them to the same place he’s hiding his other prisoners, and torture and kill them there,” Magdalena interjected. Just the thought of what her sister might be facing made her sick to her stomach, but she tried to concentrate on what was important. “It would have to be a lonely place where no one would disturb him,” she continued. “On the other hand, he can’t be too far away, either. After all, Salter had to return to the rehearsals in the wedding house, especially in the last few days.”

Jakob rubbed his huge nose, as he always did when he was concentrating, then turned to Bartholomäus.

“Do you remember our visit to the ragpicker Answin?” he asked. “He told us that he fished out the corpse of the patrician Vasold, as well as the severed body parts, from the right branch of the Regnitz. It seems logical that they were carried there by the current from somewhere upriver where Salter had disposed of them-probably close to his hideout, since he’d have to drag the corpses from the hideout to the river.”

Bartholomäus nodded. “You may be right, but where?” Now he began to rub his nose, as well.

Simon started counting off on his fingers everything they’d learned up to that point. “Let’s proceed logically. We’re looking for some secluded spot close to the river and also not too far from the city. It must be a cellar, or at least a house, since the madman tortures his victims for a period of time. He needs someplace where he can confine them. He also needs a fire, tools-”

“A secluded spot. .” Bartholomäus stared into space, as if imagining all the possible places. “Close to the river. . a house. . or a cellar. .”

Suddenly he let out a yelp. “That’s it!”

Magdalena stared at him intently. “What, then?”

“The old hunting house near Wunderburg,” he quickly explained. “I was even in that area with Aloysius a few days ago, looking for Brutus. But my concern for my dog must have distracted me.” He slapped his forehead. “The hunting house would be the ideal hideout. Until a few decades ago, the bishop’s master of the hunt lived there, but then came the war, and with it the Swedes. Now the house is just a ruin, though it’s still well fortified. It’s made partially of stone and has a roomy cellar.”

“That’s right,” Jakob chimed in, “you told me about it the first time we met in the knacker’s cabin, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. I just thought you were bragging about the new hunting lodge the bishop had assigned to you.”

“It’s a gloomy place, and people avoid it because they think it’s haunted,” Bartholomäus continued. “But as a hideout, it’s perfect. The house is close to the river and not too far from the city.” He nodded grimly. “If we’ve guessed right, the old hunting lodge is the place we’re looking for.”

“It’s possible Salter knows the lodge from earlier times,” Magdalena added, “or that he discovered it on his last visit to Bamberg. Or perhaps-”

“There’s no time for a long discussion,” her father interrupted gruffly. “My little girl is in danger, so let’s get moving.”

“But if it isn’t this hunting lodge?” Georg added skeptically. “If-”

“If, if, if.” Kuisl glared at his son. “Do you have a better plan? Or do you just want to sit around here and brood, while this madman is possibly even now tearing out Barbara’s fingernails?”

“Perhaps we could at least alert the city guards,” Simon said. “After all, this man is dangerous. Don’t forget that he’s tortured and killed seven people.”

“If that’s all that’s bothering you, I can reassure you,” Jakob replied. “I’ve dispatched and sent to their final resting places far more people than this little wolf-man.” He turned to the others. “So who wants to come along with me?”

Timidly, Georg raised his hand, but Jakob just looked down at him. “You? I’m surprised-this is no job for a bed wetter.”

“We’ll all come along with you,” Magdalena announced in a severe tone. “Barbara is not just your daughter, she’s also our sister.”

Her father sneered. “Ha! That would be some state of affairs if my own daughter could tell me whom I can take along and who stays behind.”

“Do you seriously believe I’m going to stay home with the two boys on my lap while my little sister is perhaps at this very moment being tortured?” she hissed. “You’d have to tie me down.”

“Then who’s going to take care of the children, and Katharina?” he grumbled. “Simon, perhaps?”

“I’m coming along, too,” Simon replied firmly. “And Georg is a brave, strong fellow. We’ll surely be able to use him.”

“I think it would actually be good for Katharina if we let her take care of the children,” said Bartholomäus. “Then she’d have something to do to distract her from her sorrow. I’ve also asked her aunt to come over. She’s such a chatterbox that Katharina won’t even have time to worry.”

“So that means that you, too-” Jakob started to say, but Bartholomäus cut him off.

“After all, she’s my niece,” he answered. “You can forget about leaving me behind. You would be blabbing to everyone that your little brother weaseled out. So let’s go.”

As he turned toward the door, there was a hiccupping sound from the far end of the room, and the scratching of a chair being pushed back. Jeremias had struggled to his feet, swaying a bit, but his voice was clear and determined.

“I’m coming, too,” he said, clinging to the table for support. “This madman was out to get me, and not Barbara, so I’ll come along and pay him a visit. That’s the least I can do for your girl. I’m already responsible for the death of one young girl, and that’s enough.”

“Well, what can I say, but don’t throw up in the Regnitz.” Jakob raised his head and looked each one in the eye. Then he let out a deep sigh. “It seems no one here is going to listen to me, anyway. So be it, and now let’s all go out together on our wolf hunt.” His eyes suddenly turned to narrow slits. “But I swear to you, if this werewolf harms even a hair on Barbara’s head, I’ll bring him to the Schongau torture chamber and skin him alive with my own hands.”