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charge him? She phoned a girlfriend and, in tears, told her what had happened; her girlfriend came over immediately and they went together to the police station, where they were sent to see Hrefna.
    After the victim had made her statement, Hrefna sent her to the hospital for an examination, and the subsequent medical report stated that the capillaries in her eyes evidenced temporary oxygen deprivation and the skin around her lips was reddened from when his hand had covered her mouth; a bruise was evident on the inside of her thigh; and no semen was found in her vagina.
    The accused was arrested and brought in for questioning. The man did not acknowledge rape of any kind. He said he had had sexual intercourse with this woman many times, and they had for a time been going steady.
    “What is a guy to think when a woman he’s visiting goes to bed?” he had smirked.
    He did admit that the woman had started crying and screaming, which was why he had stopped immediately. He said he hadn’t even had an orgasm.
    Hrefna was convinced that the man would be found guilty. The doctor’s note supported the woman’s testimony, and the guy was stupid. He had confessed too much. He was dumb enough to think that the woman’s behavior indicated consent.
    Hrefna was in the shower when the phone rang. It was Erlendur. He would pick her up in ten minutes.

    Diary I
    August 5, 1910. On board Sterling. Second day at sea. Vestmannaeyjar in sight. Played bridge and read from Hjemmet and Familie Journal magazines to practice my Danish…
    August 6, 1910. Third day at sea. Sat up on deck and thought. I sense clearly that I am at the beginning of a new and important period in my life. I shall spend a long time in distant lands…
    August 12, 1910. We sailed into Øresund early this morning. There were forests of ships’ masts and land visible on both sides as we progressed, with thick-trunked trees and stately farms. Soon the skyline was broken by towers; the big city was upon us.On tying up at the quayside, one could see wide, cobbled streets and many-storied houses. Everywhere multitudes of people and a variety of vehicles. I find the trams most remarkable…We students are received at the Customs Wharf and escorted to a hall of residence…
    August 13, 1910. Walked about the city with my companions and looked at places of significance. I became separated from the rest of the group at the train station. The station building is enormous and has an arched roof. There are four tracks beneath the roof. I am told that an even larger train station is being built here in the city. I spent most of the day in the station, watching the trains come and go. People streamed in, ready to travel, and disappeared into the passenger cars. Whistles were blown and the trains ground into motion amid much discharge of steam and smoke…
    September 3, 1910. Studies begin at the School of Engineering. The president gave a speech outlining the school’s history. It was founded through the agency of the famous physician H. C. Ørsted, in accordance with royal decree, on January 27, 1829. In his speech the president gave a detailed account of the enormous importance all natural scienceshave, together with mathematics, for the physical and cultural development of all nations…This winter I shall prepare for the engineering entrance examination by attending classes in mathematics and physics. I shall also read philosophy at Copenhagen University…

H alldór had noted the time of the call in the pocket diary lying open on his desk: 11:27 a.m. Now, as he got into the car, it was 11:35.
    He directed Egill to one of the older areas of the city; a neighborhood where Halldór and his wife often went for walks. The house in question was one he was familiar with, and although it had an address, it was usually referred to simply as Birkihlíd.
    As they drove, he read to Egill what he had noted during the phone call: “Male aged about fifty, dead for several hours, clear signs