‘It’s peculiar,’ Mallon said. ‘I thought he’d be screaming blue murder. He wants word to be sent to the Upper Yard for his people to come and get him out, of course. Mossop is playing for time and doing nothing. But Kelly’s sitting there calmly, it seems, answering Mossop’s questions, being very reasonable and denying everything.’

‘Did he come quietly when they lifted him?’

‘There was a bit of excitement when they arrived at his lady friend’s house at Mount Pleasant. The two of them were still in bed, it seems. The E-Division lads managed to slip the lock on the back door and in they went. Quick as flash, Kelly was out of bed, naked as the day he was born, out on the landing with a bloody big Mauser pistol in his hand. The two lads on the stairs thought their last moment had come. He told Mossop it was the uniform that saved them. If they were in plain clothes he’d have concluded they were Fenians out to do for him and he’d have blazed away.’

‘And you’ve heard nothing from Smith Berry or anyone about their man being dragged off to the Bridewell?’

‘Not a word. I don’t know what to make of it. They probably don’t even know yet that we have him. I’m expecting Mossop here at around five o’clock with a report on the interview. And I’m calling a full crime conference at six. I think you should sit in if you can.’

‘I’ll do that, chief. I’d hate to miss hearing about how that bastard likes it over there staring at the walls of a cell.’

Mallon’s mouth formed a wintry smile.

‘There’s one other thing you’ll be interested to hear. And it pretty well cooks Kelly’s goose, I believe.’

‘Yes, sir?’

‘Mick Feore found Nellie Byrne’s post office book in his jacket pocket.’

‘Jesus,’ Swallow exclaimed. ‘How does he explain that?’

‘Well, as I said, he doesn’t. He’s just saying nothing, insists he hasn’t done anything, and says he’s happy to co-operate if his people in the Upper Yard are sent for.’

Mallon stood.

‘All we can do is see what develops. You go and do what you have to do with Werner.’

He crossed the Lower Yard to Exchange Court and found Johnny Vizzard waiting for him in the crime inspector’s office.