‘Oh,’ said Seacliff. ‘You mean the place where Garcia is going to sculp?’

‘Yes. Did he tell you it was somewhere near Holloway?’

‘Yes, he did. I’d forgotten. I suppose you are furious with me?’ She smiled at Alleyn. Her glance said, very plainly: ‘After all, you are rather good-looking.’

‘I’d like to know exactly what he said, if you can remember the conversation.’

‘I suppose I can remember a good deal of it if I try. It took place during one of his periodical attempts to make a pass or two at me. He asked me if I would come and see him while he was working. I forget what I said. Oh, I think I said I would if it wasn’t too drearily far away or something. Then he said it was near Holloway, because I remember I asked him if he thought he’d be safe. I said I knew better than to spend an afternoon with him in a deserted studio, but I might get Basil to drive me there, and, of course, that made him quite livid with rage. However, he told me how to get there and drew a sort of map. I’m afraid I’ve lost it. As a matter of fact, I would rather like to see that thing, wouldn’t you, Troy? Still, as long as he’s not arrested or something, I suppose we shall see it in its proper setting. I told Garcia I thought it was a bit of a come-down to take a commission from a flick-shop. I said they’d probably ask him to put touches of gilt on the breasts and flood it with pink lights. He turned as acid as a lemon and said the surroundings were to be appropriate. He’s got absolutely no sense of humour, of course.’

‘Did he tell you exactly where it was?’

‘Oh, yes. He drew up the map, but I can’t remember anything but Holloway.’

‘Not even the name of the street?’ asked Alleyn resignedly.

‘I don’t think so. He must have mentioned it and marked it down, but I don’t suppose I’d ever remember it,’ said Seacliff, with maddening complacency.

‘Then I think that’s all, thank you, Miss Seacliff.’

She got up, frowned, and closed her eyes for a moment.

‘What’s the matter?’ asked Troy.

‘I’ve got another of these filthy headaches.’

‘Carry-over, perhaps.’

‘No, it’s not. I’ve been getting them lately.’

‘You’re looking a bit white,’ said Troy, more kindly. ‘Why don’t you lie down? Would you like some aspirin?’

‘Basil gave me his last night, thanks.’ She took out her mirror and looked at herself with intense concentration.

‘I look bloody,’ she said, and walked out of the room.

‘Is she always like that?’ asked Alleyn.