‘Since you helped in the experiment, it would not be so astonishing if you should remember it,’ said Alleyn. But Ormerin continued to expostulate, his English growing more uncertain as his agitation mounted. At last Alleyn succeeded in calming him a little, and he sat down again.

‘I must ask you to pardon my agitation,’ he said, his stained fingers at his lips. ‘I am much distressed by this crime.’

‘That is very natural. I shall not keep you much longer. I spoke just now of the experiment with the dagger. I understand that you and Mr Hatchett did most of the work on the day you made this experiment?’

‘They were all interested to see if it could be done. Each one as much as another.’

‘Quite so,’ agreed Alleyn patiently. ‘Nevertheless you and Mr Hatchett actually tipped up the throne and drove the dagger through the crack.’

‘And if we did! Does that prove us to be—’

‘It proves nothing at all, M. Ormerin. I was about to ask if Mr Garcia had any hand in the experiment?’

‘Garcia?’ Ormerin looked hard at Alleyn, and then an expression of great relief came upon him and he relaxed. ‘No,’ he said thoughtfully, ‘I do not believe that he came near us. He stood in the window with Sonia and watched. But I will tell you one more thing, Mr Alleyn. When it was all over and she went back to the pose, Malmsley began to mock her, pretending the dagger was still there. And Garcia laughed a little to himself. Very quietly. But I noticed him, and I thought to myself that was a very disagreeable little laugh. That is what I thought!’ ended Ormerin with an air of great significance.

‘You said in the dining-room that we might be sure this was a crime passionel. Why are you so sure of this?’

‘But it is apparent—it protrudes a mile. This girl was a type. One had only to see her. It declared itself. She was avid for men.’

‘Oh dear, oh dear,’ murmured Alleyn.

‘Pardon?’

‘Nothing. Please go on, M. Ormerin.’

‘She was not normal. You shall find, I have no doubt, that she was enceinte. I have been sure of it for some time. Even at the beginning women have an appearance, you understand? Her face was a little—’ he made an expressive movement with his hand down his own thin face— ‘dragged down. And always she was looking at Garcia. Mr Alleyn, I have seen him return her look, and there was that in his eyes that made one shudder. It was not at all pretty to see him watching her. He is a cold young man. He must have women, but he is quite unable to feel any tenderness for them. It is a type.’

Ormerin’s distress had apparently evaporated. He had become jauntily knowing.

‘In a word,’ said Alleyn, ‘you consider he is responsible for this tragedy?’