Malmsley leant forward and dropped his cigarette on an ash-tray. He examined his jade rings and said:

‘I really have no idea.’

‘You have never noticed his eyes, for instance?’ continued Alleyn, looking very fixedly into Malmsley’s. ‘One can usually tell, you know, by the eyes.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. The pupils are contracted. Later on they occasionally become widely dilated. As you must have observed, Mr Malmsley, when you have looked in a mirror.’

‘You are wonderfully learned, Mr Alleyn.’

‘I ask you if, to your knowledge, Garcia has contracted this habit. I must warn you that a very thorough search will be made of all the rooms in this house. Whether I think it advisable to take further steps in following up evidence that is not relevant to this case, may depend largely upon your answer.’

Malmsley looked quickly from Fox to Nigel.

‘These gentlemen are with me in this case,’ said Alleyn. ‘Come now, Mr Malmsley, unless you wish to indulge the—what was Mr Malmsley’s remark about nervous enjoyment, Bathgate?’

Nigel looked at his notes.

‘The full gamut of nervous luxury?’ he said.

‘That’s it. Unless you feel like experiencing the full gamut of such nervous luxury as police investigations can provide, you will do well to answer my question.’

‘He could not afford it,’ said Malmsley. ‘He is practically living on charity.’

‘Have you ever treated him to—let us say—to a pipe of opium?’

‘I decline to answer this question.’

‘You are perfectly within your rights. I shall obtain a search warrant and examine your effects.’

Malmsley shrank a little in his chair.

‘That would be singularly distasteful to me,’ he said. ‘I am fastidious in the matter of guests.’

‘Was Garcia one of your guests?’

‘And if he was? After all, why should I hesitate? Your methods are singularly transparent, Inspector. You wish to know if I have ever amused myself by exploring the pleasures of opium. I have done so. A friend has given me a very beautiful set in jade and ivory, and I have not been so churlish as to neglect its promise of enjoyment. On the other hand, I have not allowed myself to contract a habit. In point of fact, I have not used half the amount that was given to me. I am not a creature of habit.’

‘Did you invite Garcia to smoke opium?’

‘Yes.’

‘When?’

‘Last Friday afternoon.’

‘At last,’ said Alleyn. ‘Where did you smoke your opium?’

‘In the studio.’

‘Where you were safe from interruption?’

‘Where we were more comfortable.’

‘You had the six o’clock bus to catch. Surely you felt disinclined to make the trip up to London?’

Malmsley moved restlessly.

‘As a matter of fact,’ he said, ‘I did not smoke a full pipe. I did not wish to. I merely started one and gave it to Garcia.’

‘How many pipes did you give him?’

‘Only one.’