Yet another silence, rather more weighty this time.

'The connection itself would be similar enough. But the Company appears to possess something that makes a single strand of hair look insignificant. Consider the difference between trying to hold on to a man by a single strand of his hair...and trying to hold on to him with one of your hands encircling his throat and the other poised to drive a knife between his ribs.'

His mouth twists in a grim, humourless smile as he says, very quietly:

'To the best of my knowledge, Mister Wellard, they have his heart.'