We climb aboard the water taxi and sit down on the seat, our long weapon bags across our laps.

‘When we get to Bao Mansion,’ says Ting Ting, ‘make sure you stay close behind me, all right?’

‘I will,’ I say, ‘unless I think you’re doing the wrong thing.’

She stares at me, surprised. ‘You’ve only fought a piddly little fat belly. I’ve been training for four years!’

‘But I know where the strongbox is,’ I say.

‘Well … yes …’ she stammers. ‘Anyway, it’s important we work together and not argue.’

‘I agree with you,’ I say, hiding a smile. ‘I found a whole heap of weird stuff in that strongbox with your necklace. Por Por said they are evil talismans, given to your grandfather by a black magician to give him other-worldly powers.’

Ting Ting sits back, listening, so I push on.

‘What we have to do first – before we look for Por Por or do anything else – is destroy everything in that strongbox.’

‘But what if Por’s injured? She might be badly hurt.’

‘Do you think Shen Da Pai is going to let us get anywhere near her? We have to find the strongbox and destroy those black talismans as soon as possible so that we can weaken his power.’

She thinks for a moment. Finally she says, ‘All right. But remember, I’m the one with the experience.’

‘Yes, I remember,’ I say.

I let Ting Ting lead the way as we get off the water taxi and walk towards Bao Mansion. One thing is worrying me, though. If we meet Shen Da Pai, how will Ting Ting react? Her emotions are so raw, so close to the surface. And she has such a bad temper. One tiny thing could push her over the edge. But I can’t worry about that now.

We both flick on our torches as we slip through the gates and make our way across the wooden plank to the front entrance. The two beams of light are a comfort, but they also make us stand out in the dark like lighthouse beacons.

Ting Ting steps to one side, letting me lead the way.

I go down the corridor to the office, all the while watching out for Por Por, and for any signs of Shen Da Pai.

‘Shine your torch down here,’ I say, pointing my light at the place where the loose floorboards are. I kneel down and prise up the boards again.

‘I’ll go down while you stand guard. Or would you rather go?’ I say.

‘No, I’m the better ghost-hunter. It’s best if you go. Then I’ll be ready to protect you. And here, you’ll need this to destroy those black talismans.’ Ting Ting throws me a small pouch filled with powder.

I put my weapons bag next to the opening and slip down into the hidden room, taking only my torch, the pouch of powder and a box of matches.

Everything is just as I left it yesterday – the boxes stacked on top of each other, the strongbox sitting on the dusty shelf, my own footprints on the floor.

I lift the lid carefully. Almost immediately, waves of dread and sadness sweep over me. Forcing down my terror, I open the pouch and sprinkle the powder over the black talismans. I shudder as they shrivel and shrink as if they are alive!

‘Hurry up,’ Ting Ting whispers. ‘It’s getting colder by the second up here.’

I hold the box of matches in my trembling hands and push out the small tray. I take out a single match. But as I do, the beam of my torch extinguishes. I’m left in total darkness.

‘Ting Ting,’ I whisper, looking up through the opening. ‘What happened to the light?’

There is no answer.