The Inspector perceived that he had taken a false step. He said: ‘Naturally not, but a man in your position is bound to know the ins and outs of a house.’

Sturry acknowledged this tribute by a slight bow, and waited.

‘By all accounts the deceased was a difficult man to get on with, eh?’

‘I experienced no difficulty, Inspector. Mr Herriard had his idiosyncrasies, no doubt. Latterly his temper became impaired by rheumatic complaints, as was understandable.’

‘Made him quarrelsome?’

‘I would not go so far as to ascribe the distressing quarrels which have taken place under this roof wholly to Mr Herriard’s lumbago,’ said Sturry.

It became clear to the Inspector that the butler was big with news. It was equally clear that while he had a human desire to impart his news, he was mindful of what was due to his dignity, and must be handled with tact and respect. ‘Ah!’ the Inspector said, nodding. ‘And I daresay you knew him as well as anyone. Stands to reason, being in your position, and with him over four years.’

‘I believe Mr Herriard had no reason to be dissatisfied with me,’ conceded Sturry, unbending a little. ‘It has been my endeavour to fulfil my functions to the best of my ability, whatever the behaviour of certain of Mr Herriard’s guests.’

‘Must have been difficult for you, I daresay.’

‘Not so much difficult as distasteful,’ said Sturry, putting him in his place again. ‘Accustomed as I have been for thirty-five years to serving in the best families – for I commenced as under-footman to the late Earl of Belford, when I was hardly more than a Lad – there have been Incidents at Lexham Manor which I could only deplore.’

The Inspector made a tut-tutting noise, and tried to look sympathetic.

‘I need scarcely say,’ added Sturry, ‘that I shall be giving notice at the earliest opportunity.’

‘You know your own business best, but the house is likely to be kept on, isn’t it? There’s bound to be an heir.’

‘I should not care,’ said Sturry, with a quiver of disgust, ‘to demean myself by remaining in any house where a murder had been committed. It is not what I am accustomed to. It is impossible to imagine such an occurrence taking place under the late Earl’s roof, or, indeed (though the baronetcy was of quite recent creation) under the roof of the late Sir Barnabas.’ He drew in his breath through his teeth. ‘Nor, I may add, would it suit me to take a post either in Mr Joseph Herriard’s household, or in Mr Stephen Herriard’s.’

‘Oh?’ said the Inspector, deeply interested, and trying not to show it. ‘Not your money, eh?’

This vulgarity brought a look of pain to Sturry’s countenance, but being by this time launched on the cumulative tide of his disclosures, he decided to overlook it. ‘Mr Joseph Herriard is a very well-meaning gentleman,’ he said, ‘but the Peculiar Circumstances of his life have made him, I regret to say, forgetful of his dignity. He is Familiar with the Staff.’