“Now don’t get me wrong,” Rob said. “I didn’t want him to die. I was really shocked, and I want you to find out who did it. I’m just trying to be honest about him.”

George began to pile empty cups on to the tray.

“Have you come across anyone lately who has had any trouble with their ‘scope, any focusing problems? Or do you know of anyone who has recently dropped or damaged a telescope?”

Rob and Peter shook their heads. Adam looked quickly at Rob, but before he had the opportunity to speak Tina came into the room. She had dressed and was carrying her sleeping bag in a striped canvas bag over her shoulder.

“I’m going home,” she announced aggressively. “I’ve had enough of all this madness.”

George immediately became charming.

“I can understand just how you feel,” he said reasonably, “ but I would ask you to reconsider. I do believe that I can reach some conclusion about Tom’s death very shortly, and anyone who knew him well may be able to help me. Please stay until Sunday. Perhaps I can tempt you: I have a close friend who’s a member of the Rushy ringing group. He was planning to cannon-net some waders on the beach early tomorrow morning. Perhaps, you’d be interested in going along to help?”

Tina’s aggression dissolved.

“It’s ages since I’ve done any cannon-netting. Do you think he’d mind if I went with him?”

She put her canvas bag on the floor and sat on it. “ Is there any tea in the pot?”

When George Palmer-Jones left to return to the Windmill, Adam Anderson found himself going too. Adam wondered, briefly, at George’s skill at persuading people to do what he wanted. He was touched, but faintly irritated by the older man’s concern. It would do no good.

The storm of the night before had disappeared, leaving the ditches full and the grass wet. It was a still, clear day, with a faint mist over the sea. Ella was looking out for George and called him to her as soon as he entered the Windmill.

“Mrs. Black has been trying to get hold of you,” she said. “Her Terry came home last night. She’s frantic because the police are still holding him at the station and she thinks that you might be able to help. She says that she’s got the information you wanted. Very mysterious she was. She wouldn’t tell me what it was all about, but she said that you would understand.”

“Where is Mrs. Black now?”

“Back at the cottage. She says that she’s got a solicitor to look after Terry. She’s desperate to talk to you, and she’s gone home to wait for you.”

“Do you know where Molly is?”

“She’ll be back in five minutes. She’s just given Jack a lift home in your car.”

“Can you ask her to keep an eye on Adam?”

“I’ll keep an eye on that young man.”

George smiled, and a little reluctantly walked back to the village.