‘Yes, they do, because of that foul cigarette-case!’

‘What cigarette-case?’

‘Stephen’s. He sort of threw it to me in the drawing-room, and later it was found in Mr Herriard’s bedroom. But I never put it there!’

‘Of course you didn’t, and the police will realise that just as Mother does. You must just tell them all you know, and stop worrying. Remember, Mother is here to take care of you!’

‘I know I shall die if I have to answer any more questions! That policeman yesterday was utterly brutal, and this one’s bound to be worse!’ said Valerie fatalistically.

Her bugbear, at this moment, was taking stock of Joseph and of Stephen, both of whom had emerged from the billiard-room to receive him. Joseph had a piece of tinsel in his hand, and explained that he was engaged in dismantling the Christmas tree. ‘We have no heart for it now!’ he said.

‘You ought to send it to your local hospital,’ said Hemingway helpfully. ‘They’d very likely be glad of it.’

‘There!’ cried Joseph. ‘Why didn’t I think of that? It’s just what my brother would have wished, too! It shall be done! What say you, Stephen?’

‘Do what you like with the damned thing!’ said Stephen shortly.

The Inspector looked at him with quick interest. ‘Mr Stephen Herriard?’ he asked.

Stephen nodded. ‘Yes. What do you want to do? Visit the scene of the crime, or interrogate us all again?’

‘If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d like to visit the scene of the crime first. Perhaps you’d take me up? I understand it was you who discovered Mr Herriard’s body?’

‘Go with my uncle,’ said Stephen. ‘He discovered it too, and can tell you quite as much as I can.’

‘Stephen!’ begged Joseph.

‘Oh, that’s all right with me, sir!’ said Hemingway cheerfully. ‘Very understandable that the gentleman shouldn’t wish to go into the room again.’

Joseph sighed. ‘Very well, Inspector, I’ll take you.’

Joseph followed him to the staircase. He cast a knowledgeable eye over this noble erection, and remarked that he didn’t know when he’d seen a finer one.

‘No; it is supposed to be a perfect example of the Cromwellian,’ said Joseph, with an effort. ‘I’m afraid I’m a vandal in these matters. My brother was very proud of the house.’

‘Went in for antiques, did he?’

‘Yes, it was quite a hobby of his.’ Joseph glanced over his shoulder, summoning up a brave smile. ‘I used to tease him about it! And now this has happened!’

‘I daresay you feel it more than most,’ sympathised the Inspector.

‘Perhaps I do. One doesn’t like to be egotistical, but the younger generation have all their lives before them. I feel very much alone now.’

They had mounted the stairs by now, and while the constable who had been left in charge at the Manor cut the tapes that sealed the door of Nathaniel’s room, the Inspector took stock of his surroundings. He wanted to know who occupied the various rooms opening on to the main hall, and he asked to be shown the backstairs and the sewing-room. By the time he had looked at these, the door into Nathaniel’s room had been opened, and the constable was waiting for him to enter.